Jupiter as seen by Cassini on October 1 at 15:26 GMT from a distance of 84.1 million km away. The smallest features that can be seen are 500 kilometers across. The contrast between bright and dark features in this region of the spectrum is determined by the different light absorbing properties of the particles composing Jupiter's clouds. Ammonia ice particles are white, reflecting all light that falls on them. But some particles are red, and absorb mostly blue light. The composition of these red particles and the processes which determine their distribution are two of the long-standing mysteries of jovian meteorology and chemistry. Note that the Great Red Spot contains a dark core of absorbing particles. Photo: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

NASA scientists are extremely pleased with the first image of Jupiter from the Cassini spacecraft, which is closing in on a fly-by of the huge planet. The image, first in a series of images and other measurements of Jupiter which Cassini will be making over the next several months as it flies by Jupiter, clearly shows the exceptional resolving power of the imaging system even at the distance of more than 52 million miles (84 million kilometers). Clouds, storms and latitudinal bands are clearly seen in the image. Color images will be processed in coming days. A steady stream of ever-closer color and black-and-white images will be released in the weeks ahead.

"This has been our first opportunity to exercise the Cassini flight and ground systems in a mode very similar to how we expect to operate at Saturn, and I'm extremely pleased with how it is working," said Bob Mitchell, Cassini program manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

"The spacecraft is steadier than any spacecraft I've ever seen," said Dr. Carolyn Porco of the University of Arizona, team leader for the camera on Cassini. "It's so steady, the images are unexpectedly sharp and clear, even in the longest exposures taken and most challenging spectral regions."

Cassini is a joint mission of NASA, ESA, and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). JPL manages the Cassini program for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.