NASA planning to move Cassini spacecraft toward outer rings of Saturn

NASA is planning to have its Cassini spacecraft close in on the outer edges of Saturn’s rings and make 20 passes through April 2017.

Launched back in 1997, Cassini took seven years to reach Saturn. After taking a unique path, it arrived on July 1, 2004 and is the fourth spacecraft to study the planet.

The spacecraft weighs some 5,562 pounds and is powered by plutonium, as conventional solar power is not strong enough because of Saturn’s distance from the sun.

We have learned a great deal about Saturn. The Cassini spacecraft has helped document the planet’s rings and located vast oceans on the surface of the planet’s largest moon, Titan.

It is really amazing that space scientists can aim a tiny craft at such a large planet so far away!

Saturn is now over a billion miles from Earth and will move into conjunction with the Sun on Dec. 10.

To follow the sky with Dr. Sky, get your December star chart!