I don’t have a whole lot to add to this amazing shot from Cassini of Saturn’s moon Rhea reappearing from behind the giant moon Titan:
[Click to entitanate.]
Except: coooool. Titan is over three times the size of Rhea, and Rhea was more than twice as far from Cassini when this was taken, making Rhea look even smaller in comparison. Also, check out how the high-altitude haze in Titan’s atmosphere isn’t the same height all the way around the moon. Near the top you can see they poof up higher. If you look closely, can you see the Enterprise?
December 29th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Okay, is it bad that my first thought was ‘giant space boob’? (No, Phil, not you…)
December 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
That seems to be what Phil had in mind. Still a cool picture.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I love that picture! Only, I can’t see the Enterprise :/
December 29th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
No, you cannot see the Enterprise, because, I was on the Enterprise when I took the picture.
December 29th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Whoah, I came here from my Google Reader feed to post exactly “giant space boob” too!
December 29th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I felt that the picture was quite titillating _BEFORE_ I read the first comment!
December 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
That’s not real! We know there’s no such thing as Cassini. Phil simply photoshoped this pic out of a Jenny McCarthy playboy and is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Bad Astronomer…bad!!
December 29th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Don’t say ‘wool’ and Jenny McCarthy in the same sentence!
December 29th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Aw, it’s shy! Don’t be frightened, little moon!
December 29th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Giant space boob?
I think someone needs a Girlfriend
…..
…….
Its a very cool picture.
Enterprise?
NCC1701 A, B, C,D or NX-01?
or.. wait I think I see it
CVN-65 http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/aircraft_carriers/enterprise_cvn_65/02_uss_enterprise_cvn_65.jpg
December 29th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
When I saw this all I thought was:
dunnnnn. dannnnnnnnn. dahnnnnnnnnnn.
DUN!DAHNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!
(bum-bom, bum-bom,bum-bom,bum-bom.)
You know the rest.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Our Titanian hydro-carbon industry is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Exxon-Mobil to assist us in developing our export industry. We hope to ship 23 trillion metric tons a year your way,,,
Great pic! Reminds me of my ex-wife,,,
GAry 7
December 29th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
@Nick #11 – that whirring sound you hear is Richard Strauss spinning in his grave. But I see where you’re coming from.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
You know, it’s hard to tell yourself that no, Titan is not out of focus. Just naturally fuzzy.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Looks like a black & white silouette of Pamela Anderson…
December 29th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
It’s the Boob that ate Earth
December 29th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Omigosh…it’s a cosmic Wardrobe Malfunction!
December 30th, 2009 at 12:14 am
I thought a boob was a kind of bird. Oh, wait, that’s a t… um, nice haze!
December 30th, 2009 at 1:27 am
16. MichaelL Says:
It’s the Boob that ate Earth
Ever see Woody Allen’s Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid To Ask?
J/P=?
December 30th, 2009 at 5:30 am
entitanate – funny… When I look up the definition on Google, all references point back to you, Phil….
Oh, yeah – nice picture!
December 30th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I thought I saw the Enterprise for a second, and then I realized it was just a spot on my laptop screen.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I thought Rhea was the Enterprise for a sec there!
December 31st, 2009 at 1:13 am
Great picture – looks almost like a volcanic plume like on Io.
Another “top ten picture of 2009″ candidate if you do a second one after the year is up as you’ve hinted.
(Yes please sir I want some more! Actually, to be quite honest that first one didn’t really live up to my expectations, sorry BA. Oh & happy new year too!)
December 31st, 2009 at 1:17 am
@ 18. Sean Says:
I thought a boob was a kind of bird. Oh, wait, that’s a t… um, nice haze!
Actually, yes, *this* is a booby :
http://theadventuretravelcompany.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/blue-footed-booby2.jpg
December 31st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Be on the lookout for another, these things usually come in pairs!
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:27 am
I thought they usually come in first!
January 8th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
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