Dione, one of Saturn's moons, is photographed on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, by NASA's Cassini probe as it passes by. (NASA photo) PASADENA, Calif. - NASA has released new images taken this week as the Cassini space probe continues its survey of the solar system's giant ringed planet. Among the images are the closest photos yet taken of Dione, one of Saturn's moons.
In the raw images obtained during the Dione flyby, other moons of Saturn are sometimes visible. In one image, Mimas appears just beyond the dark side of Dione. In another view, Epimetheus and Pandora appear together, along with Saturn's rings. NASA released
taken Monday.
NASA scientists say Cassini's observations of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, have given a glimpse of what Earth might have been like before life evolved. They now believe Titan possesses "many parallels to Earth, including lakes, rivers, channels, dunes, rain, snow, clouds, mountains and possibly volcanoes."