Video: Saturn's moon Prometheus!

I downloaded a series of 200 images from JPL.
Then, they were strung together with a free program called "Virtualdub"
Recommended by Hellmutt.
The result is a 14MB avi file. Which shows Saturns moon Prometheus.
The Cassini Spacecraft targeted the moon, as it traveled nearly one complete orbit. If you look closely, you can see the effect it has on the thin F-ring. The effect lags behind the moon. You can also see different parts of Prometheus, as the Sun angle changes.

I hope this works!

Download prometheus4.avi

[edit on 25-4-2007 by spacedoubt]

Cool video, thanks for doing the work. Neat seeing the influence on the rings. A case of actually seeing gravity at work.

Thanks Greatlakes.
I was worried no one would find the time to download the video.

I kinda wanted to beat Nasa to the punch..LOL
I'm sure they'll put up a much nicer rendering.

But I gave it a shot.
And.....YOU saw it here first..on ATS

How large is the moon, it looks like a fragment or a captured asteroid rather than like our nice spheroid mood.

Isn't Prometheous the one with the big equitorial ridge that looks reminescent of the "blueberries" seen after electrical discharges (like lightning strikes)?

How does something like that happen?

Sorry...wrong one. I was referring to Iapetus:




Taken from here:

thunderbolts.info...

That video was pretty sweet
200 images is a lot but worth it
you should send a copy to nasa that way
they can use it

Originally posted by bigfatfurrytexan
Sorry...wrong one. I was referring to Iapetus:




Taken from here:

thunderbolts.info...

Yeah Iapetus is one strange bird of a moon. Have you seen Hoaglands research into it?

Here is some wiki info on the moon.
It's a tiny little "shepard moon" along with Pandora.
About 119 x 60 km

Both of which keep the F-ring looking the way it does.
Prometheus

That's really cool! Are there more sets of images that might be worth compiling into a video?

Hey jra,

yes, I have seen some that were taken in a sequence like that before.
But never 200 in a row like that. Once I saw those, I couldn't resist.

For others who are interested, The original jpgs came from here
Cassini Raw images

The ones I used are no longer there, they keep the most current 500 images in the raw section. I'm not sure, but they might still be locatable if you use the search tools there.

Yeah Iapetus is one strange bird of a moon. Have you seen Hoaglands research into it?

Haven't spent much time on Hoagland, yet. I started searching out of spiritual need, so much of my research has tied in through that avenue. Hoagland is on the list...maybe i will look it up tonight after i get off work.

I uploaded your video to my YouTube account to make it easier for everybody to see. YouTube is undergoing maintenence right now - I'll put the link up here once they get done.

EDIT: Ok, screw YouTube tonight. I put it on Google.

Google Video Link

[edit on 4/26/2007 by damajikninja]

LOL

Looks pretty good.
Nice link back to ATS. Thanks for doing that.

Now that I'm a little more familiar with the program I used (Virtualdub).
I'm going to attempt a more detailed video.

BTW, the original vid has a bit more detail, so if any of you like the Google Vid.
Download the original too..

Definatley. If you like the video, get the original 14Mb file.

When you get the other video done, I'll stick it up as well.

Nice work!

If I was a mod, I would applaud you. But Im not, so I wont.

[edit on 4/26/2007 by damajikninja]

Extremely well done !!!!

Feels rather like you are there.

Originally posted by SteveR
Extremely well done !!!!

Feels rather like you are there.

I wonder if Cassinni ever gets dizzy... all that spinning. I bet it drives the JPL control guys nuts! lol

You know, now that I've watched this a few times, I realize that I was mistaken in saying that this was nearly one complete orbit.
damajikninja's post made me realize that almost all of the motion in this vid, is due to the Cassini craft moving past the rings, and turning it's camera, keeping it trained on the little moon.

So, it's more like a flyover.

I saw a special on the Discovery channel, and the lead imaging person on the Cassini mission, Carolyn Porco..Mentioned that it was one of the most stable imaging platforms ever built. Very accurate once aimed.

Here is another.
these images were put on the Cassini Website today.

It looks simialr to the other video, but the moon gets closer to the rings this time..You can really see it draw out some material, as it dips into the F-Ring.


Prometheus2

fixed link (DOH!)

[edit on 8-5-2007 by spacedoubt]

Cool, I'll convert this one too and get it up on YouTube/Google shortly. Might take me a day or so, as it is getting close to my bedtime.