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Today in History: Cassini captures Saturn selfie, Earth urged to wave

7/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On July 19 2013, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn, captured a composite image of the planet’s rings with Earth and the Moon appearing as tiny pale dots. The mission invited the public to “wave at Saturn,” turning the snapshot into a global outreach moment that highlighted Cassini’s 13-year exploration of the Saturn system.

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Story summary

On July 19 2013, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn, captured a composite image of the planet’s rings with Earth and the Moon appearing as tiny pale dots. The mission invited the public to “wave at Saturn,” turning the snapshot into a global outreach moment that highlighted Cassini’s 13-year exploration of the Saturn system.