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Cassini observes the active south pole of Enceladus.

Authors :
Porco CC
Helfenstein P
Thomas PC
Ingersoll AP
Wisdom J
West R
Neukum G
Denk T
Wagner R
Roatsch T
Kieffer S
Turtle E
McEwen A
Johnson TV
Rathbun J
Veverka J
Wilson D
Perry J
Spitale J
Brahic A
Burns JA
Delgenio AD
Dones L
Murray CD
Squyres S
Source :
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2006 Mar 10; Vol. 311 (5766), pp. 1393-401.
Publication Year :
2006

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 Enceladus suggests a possible intense heating epoch in the past by capture into a 1:4 secondary spin/orbit resonance.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1095-9203
Volume :
311
Issue :
5766
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
16527964
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1123013