Crescent Enceladus
Explanation:
Peering from the shadows, the
Saturn-facing hemisphere of
tantalizing inner moon Enceladus
poses in this Cassini spacecraft image.
North is up in
the
dramatic scene captured during November 2016 as
Cassini's camera was pointed in a nearly sunward direction
about 130,000 kilometers from the moon's bright crescent.
In fact, the distant world reflects over 90 percent of the sunlight
it receives, giving its surface about the same reflectivity as
fresh snow.
A mere 500 kilometers in diameter,
Enceladus
is a surprisingly
active moon.
Data and images collected during Cassini's flybys have revealed
water vapor and ice grains spewing
from south polar geysers and evidence of an
ocean
of liquid water hidden beneath
the moon's icy crust.
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.
