The James Webb Space Telescope has captured Saturn's rings in striking detail for the first time since it was launched into space in 2021.
Raw images show the gas giant against the darkness of space, with its rings shining bright.
Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system after Jupiter and is known for its stunning ringlets, which are thought to be made up of billions of pieces of ice and rocks coated with dust.
The images are yet to be processed but have already been posted on the Webb telescope feed website, which shares data captured by the $10 billion “time machine”.
“Adorned with thousands of beautiful ringlets, Saturn is unique among the planets. It is not the only planet to have rings – made of chunks of ice and rock – but none are as spectacular or as complicated as Saturn's,” Nasa said on its website.
“Like fellow gas giant Jupiter, Saturn is a massive ball made mostly of hydrogen and helium.”
The Hubble Space Telescope, Webb's predecessor, has captured Saturn before and other Nasa missions have also studied the planet.
The US space agency has said previously that the planet's rings could disappear in 100 million years.
It said that the rings are being “pulled into Saturn by gravity as a dusty rain of ice particles under the influence of Saturn’s magnetic field”.
Saturn will be at its closest point to Earth on August 27, appearing brighter than usual.
The James Webb Space Telescope has also captured Jupiter before. Previous images included a picture taken in August that showed the planet’s faint rings, two tiny moons called Amalthea and Adrastea, and striking views of its aurorae, with galaxies in the background.
The planet, which is believed to have 79 moons, has a unique composition and inner structure that researchers want to study more.
The James Webb Space Telescope was launched into space on Christmas Day 2021 to study the birth of the universe, find signs of life and help scientists learn more about the solar system.
James Webb Telescope captured images
England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
