this page honors Giovanni Domenico (Jean Dominique) Cassini (1625-1712)
The image is a digital rendering of the rings of Saturn.
The music is a scherzo for celesta, synthesized kalimbas, and percussion.
In 1675, Cassini proved that Saturn's rings are separated into two parts by a gap, which is now known as the Cassini Division. He also believed that Saturn's rings were composed of a vast number of small particles.
He also collaborated on many projects with Christiaan Huygens, another astronomer who made great contributions to our knowledge of Saturn and its moons and rings.
Click on the controls to listen to the music! HELP