Hubblecast 33: Saturn's stunning double show

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.

Credit:

ESA/Hubble
Written by: Colleen Sharkey & Claudia Mignone
Visual design & Editing: Martin Kornmesser
Animations: Martin Kornmesser, Luis Calçada & NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Web Technical Support: Lars Holm Nielsen & Raquel Yumi Shida
Presented by: Dr Joe Liske (Dr J)
Narration: Gaitee Hussain
Cinematography: Peter Rixner
Music: John Dyson
Additional images: NASA, Polar VIS Earth (J. B. Sigwarth) and IMAGE WIC (S. B. Mende); Poul Jensen & Terje Nesthus
Directed by: Colleen Sharkey
Executive producer: Lars Lindberg Christensen
Acknowledgement: Jonathan Nichols