Cassini Celestia vs. Reality

[Drake]

I am a new user, so let me know if I should post here or otherwhere...

In case you need more evidence about how beautiful and realistic Celestia is, here is a Celestia screenshot of Cassini's view of Saturn and the real photo. I for one am astounded.

Screenshot:


Actual:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/gs2.cgi?path=../multimedia/images/rings/images/PIA06114.jpg&type=image

The screenshot is not exact, since I don't know the exact time of the real photo. The distance quoted is different as well (NASA says 7.6 million km), and I don't know the magnification. But it is pretty darn close!

Can't wait for the new Titan data!!!!!

[selden]

See also
http://www.lepp.cornell.edu/~seb/celestia/gallery-001c.html#12
which includes a Cel:// URL to take you to the viewpoint.

Most of the differences between the images are caused by the color and contrast enhancements that CICLOPS applied to Cassini's picture.

[Drake]

Beautiful, isn't it?

Last night I was working and had my other computer with Cassini's view of Titan, watching the distance tick down in anticipation...

Quick question, is the distance from a planet from the core or surface?

Cheers!

[selden]

It's the distance from the surface.

Older versions of Celestia used to show the distance to the center until you got close, and then switched to distance from the surface, but that was just too confusing for many people.

[Guest]

It's the distance from the surface.

Older versions of Celestia used to show the distance to the center until you got close, and then switched to distance from the surface, but that was just too confusing for many people.

Thanks for the info, selden!

Cheers