Enceladus in Silhouette
Explanation:
One of our Solar System's most
tantalizing
worlds, Enceladus is backlit by the Sun in this
Cassini spacecraft image
from November 1, 2009.
The dramatic illumination reveals the plumes that
continuously spew into space from the south pole of
Saturn's 500 kilometer diameter moon.
Discovered by Cassini in 2005, the icy plumes are likely connected to an
ocean
beneath
the ice shell of Enceladus.
They supply material directly to Saturn's outer,
tenuous
E ring and make
the surface of Enceladus as reflective as snow.
Across the scene, Saturn's icy rings scatter sunlight toward
Cassini's cameras.
Beyond the rings, the night side of
80 kilometer diameter moon
Pandora
is faintly lit by
Saturnlight.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
