The NASA on 15 September readily crashed its $4 billion probe Cassini into Saturn’s atmosphere after its 13-year mission circling our solar system’s second-largest planet.
The spacecraft was, however, transmitting data until the final moment.
We look back at Cassini’s 13-year-journey and show you the best pictures the probe was able to capture.
Quick look at some essential numbers of Cassini’s 13-year mission.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
One of Cassini’s biggest achievements has been landing a probe called ‘Huygens’ on Saturn’s moon, Titan, back in 2005.
You can also track live updates from Cassini’s grand finale on its official website saturn.jpl.nasa.gov.
Image of Saturn captured from Cassini at a distance of 1.4 million km from the planet. One of the last shots of Saturn and its rings from the probe.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
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A Look Through Titan’s Haze
Cassini peers through Titan’s haze. Some land mass and large seas which are filled not with water but liquid methane.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
Like a Red Rose
The spinning vortex on Saturn’s north pole is 1,500 km in diameter(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
The Ring
Saturn’s rings cut across Titan’s luminous crescent.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
Prometheus the Moon, Not the Movie
Saturn’s moon Prometheus up close.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
Two Brothers
Saturn’s moon Enceladus in contrast against Titan (golden).(Photo: NASA)
That's How Small the Earth Is
Can you spot Earth in this picture? Follow the arrow.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
Not the Great Red Spot
This storm system on Saturn is the longest lived electrical storm.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
The Great Odysseus
The crater on Saturn’s moon Odysseus is 450 kilometres in diameter.(Photo Courtesy: NASA)
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