Amazing Saturn Photo: Cassini's Awe-Inspiring Image

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a photograph of Saturn taken by the Cassini spacecraft, which was presented at the TED conference. Participants express their admiration for the image and its significance in the context of space photography and cultural perception of science.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights the photograph's beauty and technical achievement, comparing it to the iconic "Earthrise" photo from the Apollo program.
  • Another participant notes that the photo was featured on the cover of Astronomy magazine, suggesting it has received some recognition.
  • A third participant references Phil Plait, known as the Bad Astronomer, who has expressed enthusiasm for the image and its impact on public interest in astronomy.
  • One participant reiterates their admiration for the photograph, emphasizing its aesthetic appeal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the beauty and significance of the photograph, though there are differing views on its recognition in mainstream media.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the cultural implications of the photograph's visibility in media, suggesting a perceived indifference to scientific achievements.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in space photography, the Cassini mission, or the cultural impact of scientific imagery may find this discussion relevant.

setAI
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I just found this on Edge.org- it has got to be one of the most beautiful space photographs ever- taken by Casini- shown at the TED conference:

http://www.edge.org/documents/images/newrings_cassini1000.gif

the caption:
One of these days, Edge may want to run this photo, which planetary scientist Carolyn Porco, leader of the Imaging Team for the Cassini mission to Saturn, showed us at the TED Conference: Saturn backlit by the sun, with the Earth appearing as a tiny dot in upper left (shown in the inset blowup). It is not only perhaps the most stunning photograph ever taken, but the fact that it has not appeared on the cover of Time, New York Times, etc., is a sign of our culture's indifference to science. This is truly awe-inspiring — not just visually beautiful, but a mind-boggling technical achievement, and a way to depict the finiteness and fragility of the planet in a way that we haven’t experienced since the famous "Earthrise" photo from the Apollo program in the late 1960s. — Steve Pinker
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Great photo - it was on the cover of Astronomy a few months ago.
 
The Bad Astronomer, Phil Plait, for one is crazy about that picture.

http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/10/11/best-saturn-picture-evah/
http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/10/25/get-saturn-on-the-natgeo-cover/
http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/11/20/national-geographic-bends-to-the-will-of-the-bablog/
http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/12/27/the-top-ten-astronomy-images-of-2006/

Of course, who in their right mind wouldn't be?
 
setAI said:
I just found this on Edge.org- it has got to be one of the most beautiful space photographs ever- taken by Casini- shown at the TED conference:

http://www.edge.org/documents/images/newrings_cassini1000.gif
Beautiful!