Ringshine on Saturn

Here’s something you don’t see every day. This odd looking feature on the planet Saturn is the product of ringshine…. sun light reflecting of Saturn’s beautiful rings onto the body of the planet. Similar to Earthshine, where sunlight reflects off the Earth and illuminates the Moon. Taken by the orbiting Cassini Spacecraft, ringshine was used to illuminate an area where a lightening storm was taking place on the night side of Saturn. Read what NASA scientists had to say about the event. Earthbound astronomers can still get some pretty sweet views of the ringed planet. It is now rising in the east around 4:00am… and staying visible throughout the night. Best views are generally available within 2 to 3 hours of rising… when its had a chance to move into a steadier part of the sky. Check it out next chance you get.