New Saturn images show a change of seasons as JWST returns 'exquisite' data set of the 'ringed planet.'
In the main image, above, the blue region denotes warm temperatures, with a massive cyclone—as observed in-situ by Cassini. However, what the scientists were able to tell is that the temperatures and gases in Saturn’s stratosphere right now differ to what Cassini saw in the planet’s northern winter and spring.So sensitive to light is Webb that it had to be pointed at only tiny parts of Saturn at any one time to prevent its detectors from being overwhelmed.
“The quality of the new data from JWST is simply breathtaking,” said Professor Leigh Fletcher at the University of Leicester School of Physics and Astronomy in the U.K., who helped design these observations eight years ago. “In one short set of observations we’ve been able to continue the legacy of the Cassini mission into a completely new Saturnian season, watching how the weather patterns and atmospheric circulation respond to the changing sunlight.
This work on Saturn is just the first of a program of observations of all four giant planets. “If we can get so many new findings from a single observation of a single world, imagine what discoveries await,” said Fletcher.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
James Webb Space Telescope watches seasons change on Saturn (video)Using the powerful space telescope, astronomers saw the ringed planet's northern summer cooling as a 7.5-year-long autumn approaches.
Read more »
New faces, new struggles, new celebrations in 'Welcome to Wrexham' season 2'Welcome to Wrexham' season 2 preview: new faces, new struggles and lots of reasons to rejoice.
Read more »
New faces, new struggles, new celebrations in 'Welcome to Wrexham' season 2'Welcome to Wrexham' season 2 preview: new faces, new struggles and lots of reasons to rejoice.
Read more »
Baseball: New Rules, New Stars, New SongsBaseball seemed to reinvent itself in 2023. There were new rules, new stars, and new songs, thanks to a new album from the Baseball Project.
Read more »
Best telescopes for seeing planets in 2023The best telescopes for seeing planets allow you to immerse yourself in the wonders of our solar system, from the Red Planet to Saturn's magnificent rings.
Read more »
Beyond Earth: Webb Space Telescope Detects Key Molecules on Exoplanet K2-18 bData hints at exoplanet possessing possible liquid ocean surface. Carbon-bearing molecules have been discovered in the atmosphere of the habitable zone exoplanet K2-18 b by an international team of astronomers using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. These results are consistent with an e
Read more »