Cassini Observes the Active South Pole of Enceladus
California Institute of Technology · Space Science Institute · +4 more institutions
Abstract
Cassini has identified a geologically active province at the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus. In images acquired by the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS), this region is circumscribed by a chain of folded ridges and troughs at approximately 55 degrees S latitude. The terrain southward of this boundary is distinguished by its albedo and color contrasts, elevated temperatures, extreme geologic youth, and narrow tectonic rifts that exhibit coarse-grained ice and coincide with the hottest temperatures measured in the region. Jets of fine icy particles that supply Saturn's E ring emanate from this province, carried aloft by water vapor probably venting from subsurface reservoirs of liquid water. The shape of…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 47.85
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 33
Authors
25- CCC. C. PorcoCorresponding
California Institute of Technology, Space Science Institute, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- PHP. Helfenstein
California Institute of Technology, Space Science Institute, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- PCP. C. Thomas
California Institute of Technology, Space Science Institute, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- APA. P. Ingersoll
California Institute of Technology, Space Science Institute, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- JWJack Wisdom
California Institute of Technology, Space Science Institute, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Topics & keywords
- Enceladus
- Saturn
- Geology
- Albedo (alchemy)
- Astrobiology
- North pole
- Tectonics
- Latitude
- Life below water