This phenomenal shot of Saturn was released by the Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS) back on October 11th, 2006. The mosaic consists of 165 images from Cassini’s Wide Angle Camera, assembled from a three-hour observing stint on September 15th when Saturn shielded the spacecraft from the Sun’s brilliance. Visit this page to view larger resolution versions and a pair of enhanced photos which really show off the ring plane in all its glory; they’re truly magnificent.

If you haven’t stopped by the CICLOPS page lately, you might want to surf over and enjoy some of the site’s new features. They’ve of course maintained a comprehensive imaging diary for the last few years, which is already great for killing many hours feasting upon absolutely stunning photos. Just recently, they’ve expanded the page to include a nifty Saturnian art gallery as well as a theatre section showcasing movies and animations constructed from the spacecraft’s imaging equipment. The new expansion also includes digital and cartographic maps of Saturn’s moons.

Via Sector 6, you can now earn your status as a full-fledged Saturn groupie by registering with the site and joining the CICLOPS Alliance. Becoming a member will enable you to post comments on all the visual treasures hosted by the team and participate in future activities including volunteer opportunities (and I’m eager to see what they have in mind).

The Cassini spacecraft has already kicked off a fortuitous itinerary for 2007, which includes 17 close encounters with Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. If you’d like to stroll through highlights of its 2006 travels, take a few minutes to watch this interactive feature. Fifty bonus points if you do so while listening to Gustav Holst.