Saturn as imaged by the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam instrument on June 25, 2023. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Matt Tiscareno (SETI Institute), Matt Hedman (University of Idaho), Maryame El Moutamid (Cornell University) , Mark Showalter (SETI Institute), Leigh Fletcher (University of Leicester), Heidi Hammel (AURA), J. DePasquale (STScI). 
Rory Morrow Meteored United Kingdom 06/07/2023 05:00 4 mins
The iconic structure of Saturn has been observed with impressive new details from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), in an image that has been highlighted unexpected features of the planet’s atmosphere.
taken in infrared, This stunning image captures Saturn’s rings in all their majesty. the light seems to bounce off them and glow against the background. This effect is due to the specific infrared wavelength used in the image (3.23 microns).
At this wavelength Saturn’s methane-rich atmosphere absorbs almost all of the sunlight. This means its signature stripes are not visible. The rings contain no methane and therefore appear in their usual brightness.
Looking for possible new moons
Conceived by researchers at the SETI Institute, this new observation of Saturn is not only a beautiful image, It is also a test of the JWST’s ability to detect faint moons around Saturn.
If you take a closer look at the picture, You may be able to see three small lights to the left of the gas giant. These are the moons of Dione, Enceladus and Tethys. The image is a testament to the telescope’s ability to detect moons, which could lead to this Discovery of previously unknown satellites orbiting Saturn To provide scientists with a more comprehensive picture of the planet’s current environment as well as its past.
Image of Saturn and some of its moons. Individual rings are labeled. Image credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Matt Tiscareno (SETI Institute), Matt Hedman (University of Idaho), Maryame El Moutamid (Cornell University), Mark Showalter (SETI Institute), Leigh Fletcher (University of Leicester), Heidi Hammel (AURA), J. DePasquale (STScI).
“We are very pleased that the JWST is producing this beautiful image, which confirms that our deeper scientific data have also yielded good results,” said Dr. Matthew Tiscareno, senior researcher at the SETI Institute. “We can’t wait to dive into the comprehensive exhibits to see what discoveries lie ahead.”
New details of Saturn’s atmosphere
Interesting discoveries have already been made, as the image revealed, which the researchers are calling unexpected features associated with high-altitude stratospheric aerosols in Saturn’s atmosphere.
These include large dark structures in the northern hemisphere that are not aligned with the planet’s latitudes. Researchers had previously discovered similar features in Jupiter’s atmosphere. Next to, Typical seasonal changes can be observed, including Saturn’s northern hemisphere in summer and the southern hemisphere in winter.
This image is one of a series of low-exposure images that scientists will use to study Saturn’s rings closely. in hopes of identifying new ring structures. Depth exposures, not visible in this image, allow the study of the planet’s most delicate rings, which are not visible in the images above.