The Day The Earth Smiled ... with Morgan Freeman

Something great, something big, something very special that's never happened before is about to happen! On July 19, 2013, NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit around Saturn, will be turned to image that planet and its ring system during an eclipse of the sun, as it has done twice before during its previous nine years in orbit. But this time, the images collected will capture a glimpse of our own planet alongside Saturn, in what will be the first time the Earth's inhabitants know in advance their picture is being taken from a billion miles away. And now, even Morgan Freeman is getting ready for that splendid and brief moment of cosmic self-awareness and global celebration of us and our lush, life-giving planet coming this Friday. Will you be joining him? I hope so! For the times that the Earth will be imaged from Cassini in your country and time zone, visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/waveatsaturn/timezones/ And if you are a photography buff or a musical composer, would love to beam your creation into space, and enjoy a challenge, consider entering one of our two contests held in association with Cassini's imaging of Earth on July 19. The winning entries will be included in a digitally encoded message that will be broadcast into the galaxy from the most powerful radio telescope on Earth on the anniversary of The Day The Earth Smiled. NOTE: The image you will be taking for our fellow galactic citizens MUST be taken on Friday, July 19. Go to Message to the Milky Way to find out more. http://bit.ly/13EasCp Finally, if you'd like to find if there is a Day The Earth Smiled event or gathering near you, visit Astronomers Without Borders at http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/projects/the-day-the-earth-smiled.html And by all means, do remember on Friday to look up and smile! Carolyn Porco CEO/President, Diamond Sky Productions, LLC Founder, The Day The Earth Smiled http://carolynporco.com http://twitter.com/carolynporco http://facebook.com/carolynporco Video produced by LA's BEST Communic