NASA astronomers have released video taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of our famed ringed planet Saturn. In the video you can see the rings of Saturn nearly edge on. This allowed the telescope to capture magnificent views of the northern and southern aurora. These aurora are comparable to Earth’s own Northern and Southern lights. They are caused by the interaction of a planet’s magnetic field with solar wind particles. From the ESA/NASA site that published the Hubblecast:
In January and March 2009, researchers using Hubble took advantage of a rare opportunity to record Saturn when its rings are edge-on, resulting in a unique movie featuring both of the giant planet’s poles. Saturn is only in this position every 15 years or so and this favourable orientation has allowed a sustained study of the two beautiful and dynamic aurorae, Saturn’s own northern and southern lights.
The James Webb Space Telescope is slated to be the replacement for the aging Hubble Space Telescope. It is slated for launch in 2014, and will be a infrared space observatory.
