Image of the Day: July 2012

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Shadow Dancing

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Monday, July 30, 2012: Saturn's moon Daphnis makes waves in the Keeler Gap of the planet's A ring in this view taken around the time of Saturn's August 2009 equinox. Shadows cast by Daphnis fall on the A ring, just below the center of the image. The image was taken in visible light on Aug. 16, 2009. The view was acquired at a distance of approximately 1.3 million miles (2.1 million kilometers) from Saturn.

— Tom Chao

Look Sharp Core!

Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope/Coelum

Tuesday, July 31, 2012: Spiral galaxy NGC 247 possesses a sharp core instead of a bulge composed of old stars at its center. In addition, the irregular arms could indicate that the galaxy recently interacted with another galaxy causing the disturbance.

— Tom Chao

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
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