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Cassini sends back images from its first dive through Saturn's rings

May 5, 2017 at 4:46AM

This image made available by NASA in April 2017 shows a still from the short film "Cassini's Grand Finale," with the spacecraft diving between Saturn and the planet's innermost ring. Launched in 1997, Cassini reached Saturn in 2004 and has been exploring it from orbit ever since. Cassini�s fuel tank is almost empty, so NASA has opted for a risky, but science-rich grand finale. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has survived its first passage between Saturn and the planet's innermost ring, coming within 1,900 miles of the cloud tops.

Cassini sent back to Earth close-up images of Saturn, including its hurricane like storms.

So what lies in the narrow gap between Saturn and its rings?

According to data from Cassini, the answer is — not much. NASA scientists are reporting that Cassini encountered less dust than expected in this formerly unexplored region, a head-scratching surprise for scientists.

Cassini's trip marks the beginning of the end. It will make 21 more dives between Saturn and the rings and then, on Sept. 15, it will plunge into the planet.

Cassini sent back photos of Saturn’s swirling atmosphere. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A giant hurricane in Saturn's atmosphere. MUST CREDIT: NASA, JPL-Caltech, Space Science Institute (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Cassini is giving NASA a closer look at Saturn’s atmosphere. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)