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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, August 12
Firefly Now Targeting Next Alpha Flight By Year’s End
Aviation Week — 4:54 am ET (0854 GMT) 'Russian Starlink' Is Fast Becoming A Reality, There's Just One Problem For The Kremlin
Radio Free Europe — 4:52 am ET (0852 GMT) Firefly Aerospace Announces Extension of Multi-Launch Agreement with Lockheed Martin Through 2031
Firefly Aerospace — 4:50 am ET (0850 GMT) Firefly’s SciTec Awarded $94 Million U.S. Space Force Contract to Advance Ground-Based Radar Digitization Program
Firefly Aerospace — 4:49 am ET (0849 GMT) Registration Now Open for Spacepower Conference 2026
EINPresswire.com — 4:49 am ET (0849 GMT) |
