13.9.07

Moon-Flip

More information and larger version
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

In this monochrome image from Cassini's previous closest approach to Iapetus in 2004, we see the leading hemisphere - the side of Iapetus that always faces in the direction the moon is travelling as it orbits Saturn.

More information and larger version
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute


While this monochrome image from, well, Monday shows us the trailing hemisphere - unsurprisingly, the side of the moon on the other side from the leading hemisphere.

I know it's a huge cliché to describe every country, planet, city or moon as 'a land of contrasts', but... I mean, look at it!

1 comment:

mark drago said...

it's really a beautiful thing