By Daily Mail Reporter
These stunning black and white photographs look like the result of a particularly creative art project.
But in fact they are part of a scientific mission - and they were captured not by an artist, but by a satellite orbiting the planet Saturn.
The beautiful images taken by the Cassini probe show parts of the rings which encircle the solar system's second largest planet.
As well as providing a visual treat for the earthbound unable to get up close and personal with the rings, they are providing a valuable service to scientists, according to Space.com.
Although the rings appear to be static and fixed, they are in fact constantly moving and fluctuating in ways which have puzzled astronomers and can now be studied more closely.
In addition, it is now known that the rings contain 'propeller shapes' caused by small moonlets passing through, another phenomenon being brought to light by Cassini.
The probe was first launched in 1997, and has been orbiting Saturn since 2006.
It has recently changed the path of its orbit, which is why it is transmitting clear images of the planet's rings for the first time in two years.
'We're entering a new episode in Cassini's exploratory voyage through the Saturn system, said Carolyn Porco from the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
'These new ring results are an early harbinger of great things to come.'
Those of us stuck here on earth can also get a chance to observe Saturn - even if our view is somewhat less spectacular.
The planet is shining very brightly at the moment and can be seen with the naked eye on a clear night.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2173783/Spectacular-black-white-pictures-best-views-Saturns-rings-captured-space-probe.html#ixzz20qY2l62T
These stunning black and white photographs look like the result of a particularly creative art project.
But in fact they are part of a scientific mission - and they were captured not by an artist, but by a satellite orbiting the planet Saturn.
The beautiful images taken by the Cassini probe show parts of the rings which encircle the solar system's second largest planet.
Stunning: These beautiful pictures of Saturn's rings were taken by a space probe orbiting the second largest planet in the solar system
Satellites: As well as rings, the Cassini spacecraft has taken amazing pictures of Saturn's moons
Artistic: But the beautiful images were actually created in the name of science
Although the rings appear to be static and fixed, they are in fact constantly moving and fluctuating in ways which have puzzled astronomers and can now be studied more closely.
In addition, it is now known that the rings contain 'propeller shapes' caused by small moonlets passing through, another phenomenon being brought to light by Cassini.
Harmonious: But although Saturn may look peaceful, its rings are in fact constantly fluctuating
Angles: The new images were made possible by Cassini changing its orbit for the first time in two years
Useful: Scientists are using the images to analyse mysterious propeller shapes which frequently appear within the rings
It has recently changed the path of its orbit, which is why it is transmitting clear images of the planet's rings for the first time in two years.
'We're entering a new episode in Cassini's exploratory voyage through the Saturn system, said Carolyn Porco from the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
'These new ring results are an early harbinger of great things to come.'
Great view: But we on earth can also see Saturn on a clear night, as the planet is shining very brightly at the moment
Dark: But the images are shedding new light on the iconic rings which surround Saturn
The planet is shining very brightly at the moment and can be seen with the naked eye on a clear night.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2173783/Spectacular-black-white-pictures-best-views-Saturns-rings-captured-space-probe.html#ixzz20qY2l62T
