'Great Conjunction' of Saturn and Jupiter brings delight on Earth

The solar system's two biggest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, came within planetary kissing range in Monday's evening sky, an intimacy that will not occur again until 2080.

Jupiter, Saturn forms the great conjuction in a rare cosmic event

Why is today’s "Great Conjunction"&nbsp;between Jupiter and Saturn so historic?

In a non-pandemic situation, December is usually one of the most exciting times of the year - with an array of festivals and the closing of a year. However, the celebrations are low-key this year.

But fret not! The universe has found an equaliser in the "Great Conjunction" of two planets from our solar system - Jupiter and Saturn set to take place today, nearly after 400 years!

The Star of Bethlehem?

Netizens were quick to point out how today’s event is being seen by many as the embodiment of “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem”.

According to Space(dot)com, the “two planets might be a replica of the legendary Star of Bethlehem”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/great-conjunction-saturn-jupiter-and-the-moon-to-form-triangle-in-the-sky-350477" hreflang="en">'Great conjunction': Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon to form triangle in the sky</a>

This is not the first time scientists and watchers alike have wondered the possibility of the star’s existence, especially so close to Christmas.

A theory claims that in the year 7 BCE, Jupiter and Saturn underwent three such conjunctions - making it seem they were watching a different celestial object altogether.&nbsp;According to the Biblical story, the “Star of Bethlehem” guided three men to Jesus the baby.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jupiter-and-saturn-set-to-align-into-christmas-star-after-397-years-351392">WATCH|</a>

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What's a conjunction?

Saturn and Jupiter will come in conjunction due to their same right ascension or celestial longitude, or in other words - the “Great Conjunction”.

This event occurs every 20 years, but not on this scale, which is why it’s so monumental.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/jupiter-saturn-to-come-mighty-close-in-rare-conjunction-details-inside-347446" hreflang="en">Jupiter, Saturn to come mighty close in rare conjunction! Details inside</a>

According to the national Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this is an event in four centuries but also in eight centuries. Confused? This is what NASA said - "It's been nearly 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020, allowing nearly everyone around the world to witness this 'Great conjunction'".&nbsp;&nbsp;

The degree matters!

Additionally, Saturn and Jupiter will be separated only by 0.1 degrees, or “one-fifth the apparent width of the Moon”.

This time, it’s also more symbolic, for it is coinciding with the Winter Solstice, when Sun begins it return to the Northern Hemisphere.

Why is today’s "Great Conjunction" between Jupiter and Saturn so historic? In a non-pandemic situation, December is usually one of the most exciting times of the year - with an array of festivals and the closing of a year.

Why is today’s "Great Conjunction" between Jupiter and Saturn so historic? In a non-pandemic situation, December is usually one of the most exciting times of the year - with an array of festivals and the closing of a year. However, the celebrations are low-key this year. But fret not! The universe has found an equaliser in the "Great Conjunction" of two planets from our solar system - Jupiter and Saturn set to take place today, nearly after 400 years! The Star of Bethlehem? Netizens were quick to point out how today’s event is being seen by many as the embodiment of “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem”. According to Space(dot)com, the “two planets might be a replica of the legendary Star of Bethlehem”. Also read: 'Great conjunction': Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon to form triangle in the sky This is not the first time scientists and watchers alike have wondered the possibility of the star’s existence, especially so close to Christmas. A theory claims that in the year 7 BCE, Jupiter and Saturn underwent three such conjunctions - making it seem they were watching a different celestial object altogether. According to the Biblical story, the “Star of Bethlehem” guided three men to Jesus the baby. WATCH| × What's a conjunction? Saturn and Jupiter will come in conjunction due to their same right ascension or celestial longitude, or in other words - the “Great Conjunction”. This event occurs every 20 years, but not on this scale, which is why it’s so monumental. Also read: Jupiter, Saturn to come mighty close in rare conjunction! Details inside According to the national Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this is an event in four centuries but also in eight centuries. Confused? This is what NASA said - "It's been nearly 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020, allowing nearly everyone around the world to witness this 'Great conjunction'". The degree matters! Additionally, Saturn and Jupiter will be separated only by 0.1 degrees, or “one-fifth the apparent width of the Moon”. This time, it’s also more symbolic, for it is coinciding with the Winter Solstice, when Sun begins it return to the Northern Hemisphere.

Why today’s ‘Great Conjunction’ between Jupiter and Saturn is truly great

In a celestial phenomenon not seen in 397 years, the largest planets in our solar system Jupiter and Saturn, from the perspective of observers on Earth on Monday (December 21), will appear to be aligned so closely they will almost seem to be one single "star" in the sky.

Jupiter and Saturn set to align into 'Christmas Star' after 397 years

New Zealand are currently hosting Pakistan for a three-match T20I series. The hosts went on to seal the series by winning the second T20 at Seddon Park in Hamilton by 9 wickets.

However, the favourite highlight for many was when the cameraman captured Jupiter and Saturn during the second innings making it a talking point on social media.&nbsp;

During the 10th over of the Kiwis' innings,&nbsp;the camera person managed to get hold of the two planets in the night sky.

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Jupiter and Saturn can be seen from Seddon Park, but the stars/planets don't appear to be aligning for Pakistan today. 
 
NZ need 64 from 53 balls with nine wickets in hand. 
 
LIVE COMMENTARY: 
👉 <a href="https://t.co/omeN2wkNrJ">https://t.co/omeN2wkNrJ</a> 👈<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvPAK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvNZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvNZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/JUl8GpRO1U">pic.twitter.com/JUl8GpRO1U</a>
— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlashCric/status/1340576670781239298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan chose to bat first but the decision backfired after Tim Southee dismantled the visitors' batting line-up and scalping four wickets. However, Hafeez's unbeaten 99 powered Pakistan to 163.&nbsp;

In reply, Tim Seifert's 84 and skipper Williamson's 57 sealed the deal for the Kiwis to win by nine wickets.&nbsp;

Williamson also got to his half-century celebrating the arrival of his new-born daughter. The duo took the team home in the 20th over of the innings.

New Zealand will host Pakistan for the third and final T20I of the series at the McLean Park, Napier on December 22.&nbsp;

New Zealand are currently hosting Pakistan for a three-match T20I series. The hosts went on to seal the series by winning the second T20 at Seddon Park in Hamilton by 9 wickets.

New Zealand are currently hosting Pakistan for a three-match T20I series. The hosts went on to seal the series by winning the second T20 at Seddon Park in Hamilton by 9 wickets. However, the favourite highlight for many was when the cameraman captured Jupiter and Saturn during the second innings making it a talking point on social media. During the 10th over of the Kiwis' innings, the camera person managed to get hold of the two planets in the night sky. Jupiter and Saturn can be seen from Seddon Park, but the stars/planets don't appear to be aligning for Pakistan today. NZ need 64 from 53 balls with nine wickets in hand. LIVE COMMENTARY: 👉 https://t.co/omeN2wkNrJ 👈#NZvPAK #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/JUl8GpRO1U — 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) December 20, 2020 × Pakistan chose to bat first but the decision backfired after Tim Southee dismantled the visitors' batting line-up and scalping four wickets. However, Hafeez's unbeaten 99 powered Pakistan to 163. In reply, Tim Seifert's 84 and skipper Williamson's 57 sealed the deal for the Kiwis to win by nine wickets. Williamson also got to his half-century celebrating the arrival of his new-born daughter. The duo took the team home in the 20th over of the innings. New Zealand will host Pakistan for the third and final T20I of the series at the McLean Park, Napier on December 22.

NZ vs PAK: Cameraman captures Jupiter, Saturn in sky during second T20I

Today in History: Slavery abolished in US, Indian action to liberate Goa, and more

Skywatchers are in for a treat as&nbsp;Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are going to&nbsp;form a triangle in the sky on December 21 in a phenomenon&nbsp;known as the&nbsp;'great conjunction'.

This week Jupiter and Saturn are low in the southwest during the nippy December sunset. At the point when this month started, they were isolated by 2.1 degrees.&nbsp;

Yet, in the days that followed, they have been gradually moving toward one another; drawing nearer by about 0.1 degrees every day on their way toward the hotly anticipated "extraordinary combination" next Monday night (Dec. 21). They are crawling nearer to one another will be additionally charged by the entry on Wednesday and Thursday nights (Dec. 16-17) of a frontal area waxing bow moon.&nbsp;

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Dancing across the night sky, Jupiter and Saturn will make their showstopping move on Dec. 21 when they align to form what's known as the "Great Conjunction." Here's how you can watch: <a href="https://t.co/VoNAbNAMXY">https://t.co/VoNAbNAMXY</a> 
 
📸 : <a href="https://twitter.com/nasahqphoto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAHQphoto</a> <a href="https://t.co/LLqLfujIlD">pic.twitter.com/LLqLfujIlD</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1339010857443930112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The two planets are moving toward the east regarding the stars, with the slowest, Saturn, at first in the number one spot, and Jupiter, the quicker planet, in the back. In this way, December started with a thickset askew line of Saturn and Jupiter (from upper left to bring down right) along the ecliptic — that fanciful line on the sky that denotes the yearly way of the sun, just as where the moon and planets likewise meander.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/five-asteroids-to-make-close-call-to-earth-this-week-350377" hreflang="en">Five asteroids to make close call to Earth this week</a>

As time passes the movement of fervor has been animating as the hole among Saturn and Jupiter has been quickly contracting.&nbsp;

What's more, presently we have shown up at the "final lap" of their hotly anticipated meeting.&nbsp;

What has become referred to prominently as the "Christmas Star" is a particularly lively planetary combination effectively obvious at night sky throughout the following fourteen days as the splendid planets Jupiter and Saturn meet up, coming full circle the evening of December&nbsp;21.&nbsp;

In 1610, Italian space expert Galileo Galilei guided his telescope toward the night sky, finding the four moons of Jupiter – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In that very year, Galileo additionally found an unusual oval encompassing Saturn, which later perceptions resolved to be its rings. These revelations changed how individuals comprehended the most distant spans of our close planetary system.&nbsp;

After thirteen years, in 1623, the nearby planetary group's two goliath planets, Jupiter and Saturn, traversed the sky. Jupiter got up to speed to and passed Saturn, on a galactic occasion known as an "Incredible Conjunction."&nbsp;

"You can envision the nearby planetary group to be a course, with every one of the planets as a sprinter in their own path and the Earth toward the focal point of the arena," said Henry Throop, space expert in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "From our vantage point, we'll have the option to be to see Jupiter within the path, moving toward Saturn throughout the month lastly overwhelming it on December 21."&nbsp;

The planets routinely seem to pass each other in the close planetary system, with the places of Jupiter and Saturn being adjusted in the sky about once at regular intervals.&nbsp;

What makes the current year's exhibition so uncommon, at that point? It's been almost a long time since the planets passed this near one another in the sky, and almost a long time since the arrangement of Saturn and Jupiter happened around evening time, as it will for 2020, permitting almost everybody around the globe to observe this "incredible combination."&nbsp;

The nearest arrangement will show up only a tenth of a degree separated and keep going for a couple of days. On December 21, they will show up so close that a pinkie finger at a manageable distance will effortlessly cover the two planets in the sky. The planets will be anything but difficult to see with the independent eye by looking toward the southwest soon after dusk.&nbsp;

From our vantage point on Earth the colossal gas monsters will show up near one another, however, they will stay a huge number of miles separated in space. And keeping in mind that the combination is going on around the same time as the colder time of year solstice, the circumstance is just an incident, in light of the circles of the planets and the tilt of the Earth.&nbsp;

Skywatchers are in for a treat as Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are going to form a triangle in the sky on December 21 in a phenomenon known as the 'great conjunction'.

Skywatchers are in for a treat as Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are going to form a triangle in the sky on December 21 in a phenomenon known as the 'great conjunction'. This week Jupiter and Saturn are low in the southwest during the nippy December sunset. At the point when this month started, they were isolated by 2.1 degrees. Yet, in the days that followed, they have been gradually moving toward one another; drawing nearer by about 0.1 degrees every day on their way toward the hotly anticipated "extraordinary combination" next Monday night (Dec. 21). They are crawling nearer to one another will be additionally charged by the entry on Wednesday and Thursday nights (Dec. 16-17) of a frontal area waxing bow moon. Dancing across the night sky, Jupiter and Saturn will make their showstopping move on Dec. 21 when they align to form what's known as the "Great Conjunction." Here's how you can watch: https://t.co/VoNAbNAMXY 📸 : @NASAHQphoto pic.twitter.com/LLqLfujIlD — NASA (@NASA) December 16, 2020 × The two planets are moving toward the east regarding the stars, with the slowest, Saturn, at first in the number one spot, and Jupiter, the quicker planet, in the back. In this way, December started with a thickset askew line of Saturn and Jupiter (from upper left to bring down right) along the ecliptic — that fanciful line on the sky that denotes the yearly way of the sun, just as where the moon and planets likewise meander. Also read: Five asteroids to make close call to Earth this week As time passes the movement of fervor has been animating as the hole among Saturn and Jupiter has been quickly contracting. What's more, presently we have shown up at the "final lap" of their hotly anticipated meeting. What has become referred to prominently as the "Christmas Star" is a particularly lively planetary combination effectively obvious at night sky throughout the following fourteen days as the splendid planets Jupiter and Saturn meet up, coming full circle the evening of December 21. In 1610, Italian space expert Galileo Galilei guided his telescope toward the night sky, finding the four moons of Jupiter – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In that very year, Galileo additionally found an unusual oval encompassing Saturn, which later perceptions resolved to be its rings. These revelations changed how individuals comprehended the most distant spans of our close planetary system. After thirteen years, in 1623, the nearby planetary group's two goliath planets, Jupiter and Saturn, traversed the sky. Jupiter got up to speed to and passed Saturn, on a galactic occasion known as an "Incredible Conjunction." "You can envision the nearby planetary group to be a course, with every one of the planets as a sprinter in their own path and the Earth toward the focal point of the arena," said Henry Throop, space expert in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "From our vantage point, we'll have the option to be to see Jupiter within the path, moving toward Saturn throughout the month lastly overwhelming it on December 21." The planets routinely seem to pass each other in the close planetary system, with the places of Jupiter and Saturn being adjusted in the sky about once at regular intervals. What makes the current year's exhibition so uncommon, at that point? It's been almost a long time since the planets passed this near one another in the sky, and almost a long time since the arrangement of Saturn and Jupiter happened around evening time, as it will for 2020, permitting almost everybody around the globe to observe this "incredible combination." The nearest arrangement will show up only a tenth of a degree separated and keep going for a couple of days. On December 21, they will show up so close that a pinkie finger at a manageable distance will effortlessly cover the two planets in the sky. The planets will be anything but difficult to see with the independent eye by looking toward the southwest soon after dusk. From our vantage point on Earth the colossal gas monsters will show up near one another, however, they will stay a huge number of miles separated in space. And keeping in mind that the combination is going on around the same time as the colder time of year solstice, the circumstance is just an incident, in light of the circles of the planets and the tilt of the Earth.

'Great conjunction': Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon to form triangle in the sky

Jupiter and Saturn will look so close to each other on December 20-21 that it will become almost impossible to see them as two different planets, a phenomenon which is happening after about 800 years.&nbsp;

The last time the two planets came so close from the Earth's vantage point was on March 4, 1226.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-images-of-jupiter-show-new-storm-moving-at-350-mph-328571">New images of Jupiter show new storm moving at 350 mph</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The phenomena in which celestial bodies align is called conjunction and since two massive planets of the solar system are involved this time, therefore it's known as "great conjunction".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jupiter-is-currently-emitting-more-light-than-our-brightest-star-sirius-313390">Jupiter is currently emitting more light than our brightest star Sirius!</a>

The angle between Jupiter and Saturn on December 21 will be 0.1 degrees at 11:50 pm IST&nbsp;

"But it is fair to say that this conjunction is truly exceptional in that the planets get very close to one another," said Patrick Hartigan, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, on his website.&nbsp;

"In fact, they will be so close it may be a challenge to separate them with the unaided eye for many people."

This is the second time these two massive gas giants came so close to each since the invention of the telescope and the last time it happened was on July 16, 1623.&nbsp;

<h2>When to look for the planets</h2>

On December 15, 30 minutes after the sunset, one may see a thin lunar crescent over the horizon. However, this will be difficult to observe. The next day, the lunar crescent will be seen right beneath the two planets.&nbsp;

On December 17, 18, and 19 the planets will be visible separately as the crescent will move upwards. On December 20 and 21, it will be difficult to see the two planets separately.&nbsp;

Jupiter and Saturn will look so close to each other on December 20-21 that it will become almost impossible to see them as two different planets, a phenomenon which is happening after about 800 years.

Jupiter and Saturn will look so close to each other on December 20-21 that it will become almost impossible to see them as two different planets, a phenomenon which is happening after about 800 years. The last time the two planets came so close from the Earth's vantage point was on March 4, 1226. Also read | New images of Jupiter show new storm moving at 350 mph The phenomena in which celestial bodies align is called conjunction and since two massive planets of the solar system are involved this time, therefore it's known as "great conjunction". Also read | Jupiter is currently emitting more light than our brightest star Sirius! The angle between Jupiter and Saturn on December 21 will be 0.1 degrees at 11:50 pm IST "But it is fair to say that this conjunction is truly exceptional in that the planets get very close to one another," said Patrick Hartigan, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, on his website. "In fact, they will be so close it may be a challenge to separate them with the unaided eye for many people." This is the second time these two massive gas giants came so close to each since the invention of the telescope and the last time it happened was on July 16, 1623. When to look for the planets On December 15, 30 minutes after the sunset, one may see a thin lunar crescent over the horizon. However, this will be difficult to observe. The next day, the lunar crescent will be seen right beneath the two planets. On December 17, 18, and 19 the planets will be visible separately as the crescent will move upwards. On December 20 and 21, it will be difficult to see the two planets separately.

Jupiter, Saturn to come mighty close in rare conjunction! Details inside

November 12 in history: Release of the first images of Saturn's rings and more

You can see these 5 planets in the night skies all week long!

Saturn's largest moon -- known to Earth by the name of Titan -- is moving away from its planet a hundred times faster than previously established, a new study claims.

The study was published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Titan is unique in our solar system. It's the only known moon with a considerable atmosphere and the only planetary body in addition to Earth with liquid rivers and lakes on its surface.

Saturn's other moons -- among the 150 known moons in our solar system -- are also slowly distancing themselves from the planets they orbit, including our own moon.&nbsp;

Saturn has 82 moons. Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury, orbits the planet at a distance of 759,000 miles away. And if it's been moving away from the planet at a rapid rate each year, Saturn's entire planetary system has also expanded.

Earth's moon moves about 1.5 inches away each year.

According to NASA, this is caused by the moon's gravity tugging on the planet, which creates a temporary bulge in the planet. That energy pushes the moon further away.

NASA says Titan's migration rate equals about 4 inches per year.

Lainey worked on the study as a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

A theoretical astrophysicist and assistant professor at the California Institute of Technology has a theory that both inner and outer moons of planets migrate away at similar rates. Both types of moons get stuck in orbits related to the planet's wobble, which pushes them away.

This theory changed the long-prevailing view that outer moons migrated more slowly than inner moons. This idea was based on the fact that the outer moons are more distant from the gravity of their planet.

In 2026, NASA will send the Dragonfly mission to further investigate Titan. It will arrive at the moon by 2034. The Mars rover-size drone will be able to fly through Titan's thick atmosphere for about two and a half years.

The ultimate goal is for Dragonfly to visit an impact crater, where they believe that important ingredients for life mixed together when something hit Titan in the past, possibly tens of thousands of years ago.

(with inputs)

Saturn's largest moon -- known to Earth by the name of Titan -- is moving away from its planet a hundred times faster than previously established, a new study claims.

Saturn's largest moon -- known to Earth by the name of Titan -- is moving away from its planet a hundred times faster than previously established, a new study claims. The study was published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy. Titan is unique in our solar system. It's the only known moon with a considerable atmosphere and the only planetary body in addition to Earth with liquid rivers and lakes on its surface. Saturn's other moons -- among the 150 known moons in our solar system -- are also slowly distancing themselves from the planets they orbit, including our own moon. Saturn has 82 moons. Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury, orbits the planet at a distance of 759,000 miles away. And if it's been moving away from the planet at a rapid rate each year, Saturn's entire planetary system has also expanded. Earth's moon moves about 1.5 inches away each year. According to NASA, this is caused by the moon's gravity tugging on the planet, which creates a temporary bulge in the planet. That energy pushes the moon further away. NASA says Titan's migration rate equals about 4 inches per year. Lainey worked on the study as a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A theoretical astrophysicist and assistant professor at the California Institute of Technology has a theory that both inner and outer moons of planets migrate away at similar rates. Both types of moons get stuck in orbits related to the planet's wobble, which pushes them away. This theory changed the long-prevailing view that outer moons migrated more slowly than inner moons. This idea was based on the fact that the outer moons are more distant from the gravity of their planet. In 2026, NASA will send the Dragonfly mission to further investigate Titan. It will arrive at the moon by 2034. The Mars rover-size drone will be able to fly through Titan's thick atmosphere for about two and a half years. The ultimate goal is for Dragonfly to visit an impact crater, where they believe that important ingredients for life mixed together when something hit Titan in the past, possibly tens of thousands of years ago. (with inputs)

Saturn's moon Titan is rapidly moving away from the planet

Lord of the rings: Saturn's halo may be relatively recent trait

The US space agency&#39;s Cassini spacecraft will end its 13-year mission to Saturn in mid-September by transmitting data until the final moment before it plunges into the ringed planet&#39;s atmosphere, officials said on Tuesday.

Cassini, the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, will make the last of 22 farewell dives between the planet&#39;s rings and surface on Sept. 15. The spacecraft will then burn up as it heads straight into the gas giant&#39;s crushing atmosphere.

Cassini&#39;s final dive will end a mission that provided groundbreaking discoveries that included seasonal changes on Saturn, the moon Titan&#39;s resemblance to a primordial Earth, and a global ocean on the moon Enceladus with ice plumes spouting from its surface.

&quot;The mission has been insanely, wildly, beautifully successful, and it&#39;s coming to an end in about two weeks,&quot; Curt Niebur, Cassini program scientist, said on a telephone conference call with reporters from NASA&#39;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

Cassini&#39;s final photo as it heads into Saturn&#39;s atmosphere will likely be of propellers, or gaps in the rings caused by moonlets, said project scientist Linda Spilker.

The spacecraft will provide near real-time data on the atmosphere until it loses contact with Earth at 4:54 am&nbsp;PDT (1154 GMT) on Sept. 15, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said.

Spilker said Cassini&#39;s latest data on the rings had shown they had a lighter mass than forecast. That suggests they are younger than expected, at about 120 million years, and thus were created after the birth of the solar system, she said.

During its final orbits between the atmosphere and the rings, Cassini also studied Saturn&#39;s atmosphere and took measurements to determine the size of the planet&#39;s rocky core.

Cassini has been probing Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, and its entourage of 62 known moons since July 2004. It has provided enough data for almost 4,000 scientific papers.

Since the craft is running low on fuel, NASA is crashing it into Saturn to avoid any chance Cassini could someday collide with Titan, Enceladus or any other moon that has the potential to support indigenous microbial life.

By destroying the spacecraft, NASA will ensure that any hitchhiking Earth microbes still alive on Cassini will not contaminate the moons for future study.

Cassini, the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, will make the last of 22 farewell dives between the planet's rings and surface on Sept. 15.

The US space agency's Cassini spacecraft will end its 13-year mission to Saturn in mid-September by transmitting data until the final moment before it plunges into the ringed planet's atmosphere, officials said on Tuesday. Cassini, the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, will make the last of 22 farewell dives between the planet's rings and surface on Sept. 15. The spacecraft will then burn up as it heads straight into the gas giant's crushing atmosphere. Cassini's final dive will end a mission that provided groundbreaking discoveries that included seasonal changes on Saturn, the moon Titan's resemblance to a primordial Earth, and a global ocean on the moon Enceladus with ice plumes spouting from its surface. "The mission has been insanely, wildly, beautifully successful, and it's coming to an end in about two weeks," Curt Niebur, Cassini program scientist, said on a telephone conference call with reporters from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Cassini's final photo as it heads into Saturn's atmosphere will likely be of propellers, or gaps in the rings caused by moonlets, said project scientist Linda Spilker. The spacecraft will provide near real-time data on the atmosphere until it loses contact with Earth at 4:54 am PDT (1154 GMT) on Sept. 15, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said. Spilker said Cassini's latest data on the rings had shown they had a lighter mass than forecast. That suggests they are younger than expected, at about 120 million years, and thus were created after the birth of the solar system, she said. During its final orbits between the atmosphere and the rings, Cassini also studied Saturn's atmosphere and took measurements to determine the size of the planet's rocky core. Cassini has been probing Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, and its entourage of 62 known moons since July 2004. It has provided enough data for almost 4,000 scientific papers. Since the craft is running low on fuel, NASA is crashing it into Saturn to avoid any chance Cassini could someday collide with Titan, Enceladus or any other moon that has the potential to support indigenous microbial life. By destroying the spacecraft, NASA will ensure that any hitchhiking Earth microbes still alive on Cassini will not contaminate the moons for future study.

NASA to crash US spacecraft into Saturn, 13-year mission to complete soon

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