Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Mimas: Small Moon with a Big Crater

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 12, 2025 is “Mimas: Small Moon with a Big Crater,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , Space Science Institute , Cassini. The original explanation runs about 153 words.

A cratered object is shown that shows on really large crater on its right side. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , Space Science Institute , Cassini Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Whatever hit Mimas nearly destroyed it. What remains is one of the largest impact craters on one of Saturn ‘s smallest round moons.”

— APOD editors, January 12, 2025

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
January 12, 2025
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , JPL-Caltech , Space Science Institute , Cassini
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 153 words

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Topics in this entry

The MoonSaturn

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: January 12 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.