03 May 2010
A Cassini spacecraft image of Enceladus, Saturn’s small geologically active moon
This raw image shows the eruptive plume, emanating from the southern polar region of Enceladus. It was acquired on 26 April 2010.
Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute
On 28 April 2010, NASA's Saturn-bound Cassini spacecraft completed its 26-hour gravity experiment near Saturn's moon Enceladus (504 km across), relying data that scientists will use to study Enceladus’ internal composition and structure.
During the flyby, Cassini glided through the water-rich plume, erupting from Enceladus' south polar region. The minimum distance between Cassini and Enceladus was about 100 km.
A steady radio link between Cassini and NASA's Earth-based Deep Space Network enabled Cassini's scientists to apply the radio instrument aboard Cassini, to measure the variations in the gravitational pull of Enceladus. Analyzing the wiggles will help scientists understand whether an ocean, pond or large lake exists beneath the prominent "tiger stripe" fractures that spew water vapor and organic particles from the south polar region of Enceladus.
Further Reading
Cassini Mission Websites
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
http://www.nasa.gov/cassini
Measuring the Gravity of a Small Saturnian Moon
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Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist