Cassini 's portrait of Earth on July 19, 2013
The world watched on July 19, 2013, as NASA’s Cassini spacecraft snaps Earth's image from the far side of Saturn. With the brilliant light of the Sun blocked by Saturn itself, the ringed planet loomed large in the foreground, with Earth appearing as a very distant "Pale Blue Dot."
“It was a day for all the world to celebrate,” said Cassini imaging team leader Carolyn Porco of the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado, who first recognized the unique opportunity to create this new view of Earth.
AWB was proud to coordinate worldwide astronomy events in celebration of The Day The Earth Smiled (TDTES), in cooperation with its founder, Carolyn Porco.
Read about how AWB members and others participated:
- The AWB worldwide observing program to share Saturn and TDTES with others.
- Taking a photo for the AWB Saturn Mosaic project
- TDTES event on the Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) website, where you can create and download customized TDTES Certificates of Participation.
- Events
- Contests run by Diamond Sky Productions
Tour of Saturn from Earth, Earth from Saturn (Cassini) with Southern Stars
This video tour from Earth to Saturn and back was created by Southern Stars in their SkySafari app. During the tour of Saturn the Cassini spacecraft is seen in its actual location, and its view of Earth is seen at the moment it will snap its photograph of Earth. All other times and orientations are before or after the photograph is taken. The Earth location in the video is northern California, USA.
Read more about The Day the Earth Smiled.
Read Carolyn Porco's Captain's Log announcing this historic event.
Learn more about the Cassini Solstice Mission and find educational resources.
Please consider donating to support Astronomers Without Borders international programs. We can't do it without YOU!
Astronomers Without Borders is a global astronomy community. Astronomy enthusiasts, educators, and others around the world participate in programs that create interaction and cooperation through common interests in all aspects of astronomy including observing, outreach, the arts in astronomy and more.
