Scientists link Saturn moon to outer solar system
Posted: Mon, May 9, 2005, 6:51 AM ET (1051 GMT)
Planetary scientists reported last week that an outer moon of Saturn surveyed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft last year most likely originated in the outer solar system. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, scientists said that Phoebe bears a closer resemblance to Pluto and members of the Kuiper Belt than the other moons of Saturn. Scientists reached that conclusion based on measurements of the moon's density made when Cassini flew by Phoebe in June 2004, shortly before entering orbit around Saturn: the relative proportions of rock and ice are more like those seen in the Kuiper Belt than Saturn's other moons. Scientists believe that Phoebe formed in the Kuiper Belt but strayed inwards, and was eventually captured by Saturn.
Planetary scientists reported last week that an outer moon of Saturn surveyed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft last year most likely originated in the outer solar system. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, scientists said that Phoebe bears a closer resemblance to Pluto and members of the Kuiper Belt than the other moons of Saturn. Scientists reached that conclusion based on measurements of the moon's density made when Cassini flew by Phoebe in June 2004, shortly before entering orbit around Saturn: the relative proportions of rock and ice are more like those seen in the Kuiper Belt than Saturn's other moons. Scientists believe that Phoebe formed in the Kuiper Belt but strayed inwards, and was eventually captured by Saturn.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Roscosmos replaces cosmonaut on next Crew Dragon mission to ISS
Posted: Sat, Dec 6 9:45 AM ET (1445 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, December 15
Satellites help tackle landfill methane leaks
ESA — 4:46 am ET (0946 GMT) SpaceX adds 27 satellites to its growing Starlink constellation
UPI — 4:45 am ET (0945 GMT) STMicro has shipped 5 billion chips for Starlink in past decade; that could double by 2027
Reuters — 4:44 am ET (0944 GMT) Hegseth Visits Alabama to Cement Redstone Arsenal as Future Home of Space Command
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 4:43 am ET (0943 GMT) RocketLab sends Japanese communications satellite into orbit
UPI — 4:42 am ET (0942 GMT) |
