Donovan left Seton Hall after the season to coach the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. She was 27-65 in three seasons with a program that has not been the NCAA tournament since 1995.

WSJ: Bozzella officially takes over as Seton Hall coach

Without the earth's 23.5-degree tilt to the sun there would be no seasons, no variation in daylight and darkness, said Fothergill.

CNN: 'Earth' takes viewers on 'breathtaking' global journey

Other activities for Cassini scientists during the extended mission will include monitoring seasons on Titan and Saturn, observing unique ring events - such as the 2009 equinox when the Sun will be in the plane of the rings - and exploring new places within Saturn's magnetic "envelope" - or magnetosphere.

BBC: Nasa extends Saturn probe mission