Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Eclipse of Rhea by Saturn

Eclipse of Rhea by Saturn
Eclipse of Rhea by Saturn On 19 August 2008, Cassini observed Rhea as it passed into Saturn's shadow. NASA / JPL-Caltech / SSI / color and animation by Gordan Ugarkovic

These eclipses were most frequent around Saturn's equinox. Cassini's science team is particularly interested in using the eclipses to study how the temperature of the icy surface drops after its quick plunge into darkness, and, later, how quickly it heats when the lights come back on again.