Saturn’s Rings Viewed in the Mid-infrared
Astrophotography・
This image is Saturn’s Rings captured with the Subaru Telescope’s COMICS (Cooled Mid-Infrared Camera and Spectrometer). These rings shine completely differently from those we usually see in visible light. In this mid-infrared image taken in 2008, the “Cassini Division” and “C ring” that should be dark in visible light are seen brightly. This is thought to be because the “Cassini Division” and “C ring” are warmer than the other rings. Furthermore, research results also showed that there is a seasonal change in the rings when seen in the mid-infrared. This is an important clue to understand the characteristics of Saturn’s ring.
Text by: Hideaki Fujiwara (Subaru Telescope, NAOJ)
Translation by: Hiroko Tsuzuki and Ramsey Lundock (NAOJ)
Image Data
| Object | Saturn |
|---|---|
| Telescope | The Subaru Telescope |
| Instrument | COMICS |
| Wavelength | 11.7 micrometer, 18.8 micrometer, and 24.5 micrometer |
| Exposure | 115 seconds in total |
| Date | January 23, 2008 |
| Observer | P. A. Yanamandra-Fisher et al. |
| Image Processing | Hideaki Fujiwara |
| Credit | National Astronomical Observatory of Japan |