Cassini sees dynamic nature of Enceladus
Posted: Thu, Sep 1, 2005, 1:47 PM ET (1747 GMT)
Images and other data obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft show that the icy Saturnian moon of Enceladus is far more active that planetary scientists originally thought. Cracks on the surface of Enceladus, dubbed "tiger stripes" because of their appearance, are no more than 1,000 years old and could be as young as 10 years old, scientists reported this week. The cracks were not seen by Voyager 2 when it flew past the moon in 1981. Scientists believe that icy material may spew out from the cracks, which may explain periods of brightening of the south polar region of the moon noticed by observers on Earth. How the small moon has managed to retain the interior heat required to drive such activity remains a mystery.
Images and other data obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft show that the icy Saturnian moon of Enceladus is far more active that planetary scientists originally thought. Cracks on the surface of Enceladus, dubbed "tiger stripes" because of their appearance, are no more than 1,000 years old and could be as young as 10 years old, scientists reported this week. The cracks were not seen by Voyager 2 when it flew past the moon in 1981. Scientists believe that icy material may spew out from the cracks, which may explain periods of brightening of the south polar region of the moon noticed by observers on Earth. How the small moon has managed to retain the interior heat required to drive such activity remains a mystery.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 12
‘Odd couple’ black holes can find each other in space
Scientific American — 1:47 am ET (0547 GMT) Why the Swift telescope was so special
Scientific American — 1:46 am ET (0546 GMT) Scientists Found a Potential Dark Matter Particle — What Happens Now?
Sky & Telescope — 1:46 am ET (0546 GMT) NASA Boosts Open Science, Data Sharing with Artemis Accords
NASA — 1:37 am ET (0537 GMT) NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 to Discuss Station Mission, Upcoming Return
NASA — 1:36 am ET (0536 GMT) |
