Daphnis
is a tiny moon of Saturn, one of seven discovered by the Cassini probe
as it explores the space around the ringed planet. In
this incredible picture taken by the probe, you see Daphnis
causing a ripple in the rings.
Cassini
took the image on January 16, 2017, while 17,000 miles (28,000
kilometers) away from the moon. Measuring 5 miles (8 kilometers) along
its longest axis, irregular Daphnis resides in the 26-mile
(42-kilometer) wide Keeler Gap in Saturn's outer A ring. The Keeler Gap
seems narrower than it really is in this image because of foreshortening
due to the spacecraft's viewing angle. You can just see grooves along
the long axis of Daphnis in the image, as well as a few impact craters.
Despite
its small size, Daphnis' gravity is causing the ripples in the rings.
Cassini's 20-year mission will end on September 15, 2017, when it
crashes in the surface of Saturn.
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