Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


Enceladus in Silhouette
<< Yesterday 14.02.2018 Tomorrow >>
Enceladus in Silhouette
Credit & Copyright: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA
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.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < February 2018  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su



1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728



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.

Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: Enceladus
Publications with words: Enceladus
See also:
All publications on this topic >>