392-saturn-rings-diagram-dixon – Lord of the RIngs: Saturn's magnificent system of rings extends nearly 200,000 miles from the center of the planet, but only the denser regions are easily observerd. A technical overhead view of Saturn provides a clear visualization of the primary ring divisions and the planet's atmospheric banding. The rendering highlights the varying opacity of the A, B, and C rings, with the prominent Cassini Division appearing as a dark gap. The planet's shadow is cast precisely across the ring plane, while several small inner moons are positioned along the outer edges of the complex ring structure. Digital painting for Scientific American. © 2012 Don Dixon / cosmographica.com
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