NASA Cassini Saturn probe Grand Finale Some spectacular images captured by the spacecraft

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft plunged into Saturn on Friday morning after orbiting the planet for over 13 years. One of the first-of-its-kind planetary probe has discovered unexplored areas and offered a peek into never-before-seen look of the gas giant. The probe has provided more than 450,000 images of the ringed planet, lets give you a look through into some of the most breathtaking images of Saturn from Cassini's eye:

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

Launched on October 15, 1997, Cassini entered orbit around Saturn on June 30, 2004 and this is the first color composite image of the gas giant that was delivered by the spacecraft on its approach.

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

This spectacular image of Saturn was taken on December, 7, 2005 with wide-angle camera of the spacecraft. It shows the razor-thin rings of the planet and you also get to witness moon Dione near the left edge of the image.

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

This somber view was taken on October 23, 2009 and the shadow that we see near the equator is from the moon Tethys. A very small shadow can also be seen just north of the equator, near the curve of the planet's edge, created by the moon Mimas.

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

This overexposed image makes the view of dim rings around the gas giant plausible. It was captured on June 24, 2010.

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

The image taken from Cassini's wide-angle camera shows the extremely thin shadow of Saturn's rings. This picture was taken on November 28, 2009, not long after planet's equinox on August 2009.

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

The image was captured on January 5, 2012 with the wide-angle camera of the spacecraft showcasing Titan, Saturn's largest moon (upper-right).

Cassini's planetary probe of Saturn

The image marks the split between night and day on the planet along with glimpse of hexagonal storm that has been swirling around the Saturn's north pole for more than 30 years. The picture was captured on November 23, 2013.