VERY high resolution Cassini photos?

In summary, the cameras on Cassini have a range of resolutions, depending on their distance from the target. The Wide Angle Camera is good for capturing context images, while the Narrow Angle Camera is best for high-resolution studies.
  • #1
chroot
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Does anyone know what the native resolution of Cassini's various cameras are? I'm looking for VERY high resolution (> 3 megapixel) versions of images like the one below, suitable for producing a good 5x7 or even 8x10 print. Anyone have any links to such high-res photos?

- Warren
 

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  • #2
chroot said:
Does anyone know what the native resolution of Cassini's various cameras are? I'm looking for VERY high resolution (> 3 megapixel) versions of images like the one below, suitable for producing a good 5x7 or even 8x10 print. Anyone have any links to such high-res photos?

- Warren
Did you look through the full res TIFFs on the JPL site?
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/index.cfm

Here is some info I found on the cameras:
The Imaging Science Subsystem consists of two cameras, a Wide Angle Camera (ISS-WAC) and a Narrow Angle Camera (ISS-NAC). Both cameras produce images 1024 by 1024 pixels in size. Each camera is equipped with a pair of filter wheels that give the cameras excellent color vision: 23 different filters for the Narrow Angle and 17 for the Wide Angle Camera, spanning wavelengths of light from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared. Because the filters are on two overlapping filter wheels, filters can be combined to yield a great many more effective filter combinations (about 100 for the NAC and about 50 for the WAC).

The Wide Angle Camera will provide context images for all of the other optical remote sensing instruments. The Narrow Angle Camera will be used for high-resolution studies.

The ISS cameras are affixed to Cassini's Remote Sensing Pallet. The Remote Sensing Pallet also contains the CIRS, VIMS, and UVIS instruments. In order for ISS to capture images, the Cassini spacecraft must rotate to point the Remote Sensing Pallet to a target. Consequently, whenever ISS captures an image of a target, the other three Optical Remote Sensing instruments are also pointed in the same direction and can study the same target. This is both a strength and a weakness: a strength, because there is no question that the whole instrument suite is focused on exactly the same spot, and a weakness, because the four instruments cannot operate independently. The four instrument teams cooperate in planning their science observations.

The resolution of the cameras depends upon their distance from the target. When Cassini is 1000 km from her target, the Narrow Angle Camera will achieve a resolution of 6 meters per pixel.
 
  • #3
Click on images from the webpage MIH gives a link to, follow, the links, and you will come to pages like this. Surfing around within these sorts of pages will get you just about anything you ever wanted to know about Cassini (not to mention access to GB or even TB of processed data).
 

What is the resolution of Cassini photos?

The resolution of Cassini photos varies depending on the specific image and its purpose. However, the highest resolution images taken by Cassini have a pixel size of about 0.5 meters or less, which is considered very high resolution.

How are these high resolution photos captured?

The high resolution photos taken by Cassini are captured using its narrow-angle camera, which has a resolution of 0.5 meters per pixel. This camera has a narrow field of view, allowing for detailed images to be taken of specific targets.

What is the purpose of taking high resolution photos with Cassini?

The main purpose of taking high resolution photos with Cassini is to gather detailed information about Saturn and its moons. These photos can help scientists study the geological features, composition, and dynamics of these celestial bodies in greater detail.

How are these photos processed and analyzed?

After being captured by Cassini, the high resolution photos are transmitted to Earth where they are processed and analyzed by scientists. This involves adjusting the contrast, color, and other aspects of the image to enhance its details and reveal new information.

What have we learned from the high resolution photos taken by Cassini?

The high resolution photos taken by Cassini have provided scientists with a wealth of new information about Saturn and its moons. They have revealed stunning landscapes, complex geological features, and even potential signs of life on some of Saturn's moons.

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