The lord of the rings, spied from above by the Cassini spacecraft. ( NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute/Gordan Ugarkovic)
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Cassini Celebrates a Decade in Orbit Around Saturn
Saturn is the jewel of the solar system. The giant, pastel-colored planet is surrounded by huge, iconic rings – and dozens of sparkling, icy moons.
Ten years ago today, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft gently pulled into orbit around the ringed planet. The journey to Saturn took an arduous seven years and covered 3.5 billion kilometers. But the trek was essentially a warm-up for what would become a tireless, gymnastic exploration of the Saturnian system. (I’m in Washington, D.C. today for a National Geographic live eventa National Geographic live eventa National Geographic live event commemorating Cassini’s accomplishments.)
As Cassini swung through the picturesque planetscape, dynamic — sometimes violent — stories began to emerge.
Cassini
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