Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. On August 18, the Cassini spacecraft flew by the Earth and Moon , then continued on its way to the outer solar system. Near its closest approach to the Moon , a distance of about 377,000 kilometers, controllers tested Cassini's imaging systems on this most familiar celestial body . With its cameras clearly functioning well, Cassini's next way-point will be Jupiter in December 2000. It is expected to arrive at its final destination, the Saturnian system , in 2004.
Specific rights apply .