![Saturn's rings as seen by the Voyager 2 spacecraft, as it passed within 103,000 km (64,000 miles) of the outermost ring, the F ring ( bottom). Above the F ring is a gap caused by the orbit of a small satellite. Following are three sections of the ring system visible from Earth[emdash]the A ring, Cassini division, and B ring. In the background is the fainter C ring.](https://cdn.britannica.com/88/21188-050-550FA514/Saturn-rings-spacecraft-Voyager-2-ring-F.jpg)
Cassini’s Division
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![Saturn's rings as seen by the Voyager 2 spacecraft, as it passed within 103,000 km (64,000 miles) of the outermost ring, the F ring ( bottom). Above the F ring is a gap caused by the orbit of a small satellite. Following are three sections of the ring system visible from Earth[emdash]the A ring, Cassini division, and B ring. In the background is the fainter C ring.](https://cdn.britannica.com/88/21188-004-8FA5998D/Saturn-rings-spacecraft-Voyager-2-ring-F.jpg)
The Cassini Division is a dark gap located between the two brightest rings of Saturn. This division was first observed by astronomer Jean Dominique Cassini in 1675, which led to the rings being recognized as two distinct segments: an inner and an outer ring.12
The Cassini Division is approximately 4,700 km wide and lies between Saturn's B ring and A ring. While it appears as a dark gap, it is not entirely devoid of particles and exhibits variations in its optical depth. The division is named after Gian Domenico Cassini, an Italian-born French astronomer who discovered it along with four of Saturn's moons.32
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