Cassini discovers 'Big Empty' in gap between Saturn and its rings

[Judi Lynn]

By Brooks Hays | May 2, 2017 at 9:34 AM



May 2 (UPI) -- NASA scientists expected Cassini to encounter hundreds of dust particles as it flew through the gap between Saturn and its rings. Instead, the probe found "The Big Empty," an area with very few dust particles.

"The region between the rings and Saturn is 'The Big Empty,' apparently," Earl Maize, Cassini project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said in a news release. "Cassini will stay the course, while the scientists work on the mystery of why the dust level is much lower than expected."

Engineers pointed the probe's antenna forwards as a protect mechanism -- a way to protect the probe for collisions with dust particles as it passes between Saturn's upper atmosphere and the gas giant's main rings.

Cassini's antenna features a sensor called the Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument. When RPWS observations are turned into audio files, collisions with dust particles translate as crackles and pops.

More:
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2017/05/02/Cassini-discovers-Big-Empty-in-gap-between-Saturn-and-its-rings/2511493728906/?utm_source=sec&utm_campaign=sl&utm_medium=1

[Warren DeMontague]

1. What an amazing piece of equipment that thing has been.

Truly one of mankind's greatest explorers. For the history books.

A goldmine of science and some of the most beautiful photographs ever taken.

[longship]

2. This thread needs some Carolyn Porco!

I know this was filmed years ago, much earlier in the Cassini mission. However, Dr. Porco inspires us all with these first glimmerings of just how phenomenal this mission was going to be.

Enjoy!

R&K

[byronius]

3. TechnoMagnificence.