Enceladus Up Close
26/10/2008 05:32
Saturn's tiny, icy
moon Enceladus has recently been visited by
NASA's Cassini orbiter on several very close
approaches - once coming within a mere 25
kilometers (15 miles) of the
surface.
Scientists are learning a great deal about this curious little moon. Only about 500 kilometers wide (310 miles), it is very active, emitting internal heat, churning its surface, and - through cryovolcanism - ejecting masses of microscopic ice particles into Saturnian orbit.
Cassini has been orbiting Saturn for over 4 years now, and has provided some amazing views of tiny Enceladus, some collected here.
Another close flyby is scheduled for Halloween, October 31st.
See 25 more great photos here.
SINC SAYS:
It never ceases to amaze me how technology can bring us detailed photos like these.
