NASA. LARGE FORMAT. Exceptional photograph of the planet SAT - Lot 251

NASA. LARGE FORMAT. Exceptional photograph of the planet SATURN taken by the CASSINI space probe as it plunged into the planet's shadow to produce this exceptional shot. With the sun's powerful and potentially dangerous rays eclipsed by Saturn itself, Cassini's onboard cameras were able to take advantage of this unique observation geometry. They have acquired a panoramic mosaic of Saturn's system, enabling scientists to see details of the rings and the whole system when they are backlit by the sun. This mosaic is special in that it is the third time our planet has been photographed from the outer solar system, the second time it has been photographed by Cassini from Saturn's orbit, and the first time Earth's inhabitants have been informed in advance that their picture will be taken from such a great distance. With its wide-angle and narrow-angle cameras pointed at Saturn, Cassini was able to capture 323 images in just over four hours. The final mosaic uses 141 of these wide-angle images. 2013. Vintage chromogenic print. Numbering in the margin on the front. Legend on label on back. 60.9 x 60.9 cm with margins.