Saturn Surprises As Cassini Continues its Grand Finale

We all know that Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system. This gas giant consists of a ring system which  consists of nine continuous main rings and three discontinuous arcs and that is composed mostly of ice particles and it has 62 moons orbiting it. 

In 1997 NASA launched Cassini spacecraft to study this gas giant in collaboration with ESA. After 20 years, the life span of this spacecraft has come to an end and it will be taking its unprecedented dive into the Saturn atmosphere on 15th of September. 

This spacecraft is currently in its 15th of 22 weekly orbits that pass through the narrow gap between Saturn and its rings. Till  now no one has explored this part of the region and it is the first time it is being explored.

During its 15th week it has collected some interesting data about the magnetic atmosphere of the planet. 

 This mosaic combines views captured by Cassini as it made the first dive of the mission's Grand Finale on April 26, 2017, and shows details in bands and swirls in the atmosphere. 

Scientists found that the planet's magnetic field has no discernible tilt this means that the true length of the Saturn day is still unknown.

 Based on data collected by Cassini's magnetometer instrument, Saturn's magnetic field appears to be surprisingly well-aligned with the planet's rotation axis. The tilt is much smaller than 0.06 degrees -- which is the lower limit the spacecraft's magnetometer data placed on the value prior to the start of the Grand Finale.This observation is at odds with scientists' theoretical understanding of how magnetic fields are generated. Planetary magnetic fields are understood to require some degree of tilt to sustain currents flowing through the liquid metal deep inside the planets (in Saturn's case, thought to be liquid metallic hydrogen). With no tilt, the currents would eventually subside and the field would disappear.  

BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES DESCRIBING THE DIVE OF CASSINI

This pictures shows the 22 orbits through the 1,500 mile narrow passage between Saturn and its rings.

This picture shows the altitude variation of Cassini spacecraft. The red line represents its great plunge into its atmosphere.

On September 15, fuel of the spacecraft runs out and its path is mostly determined by the gravity but not thrusters

Source : https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/saturn-surprises-as-cassini-continues-its-grand-finale

Pictures: NASA/JPL