Scientists used data gathered by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft during 13 years of exploring the Saturn system to make detailed images of the icy moon—and to reveal geologic activity. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-09-infrared-eyes-enceladus-hints-fresh.html…
Tag: Cassini
We go between the sun and Saturn on July 20
This is Saturn’s yearly opposition. The ringed planet is now opposite the sun in our sky, rising at sunset, highest up for the night around midnight and setting at sunrise. It’s at its brightest and and best for 2020. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/saturn-closest-and-brightest…
This day in 2013: The Day the Earth Smiled
Today is the anniversary of The Day the Earth Smiled, the 3rd-ever image of Earth from the outer solar system, taken by the great Cassini spacecraft on July 19, 2013. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/the-day-earth-smiled-2013-cassini-image-of-earth-moon-planets…
More evidence that Europa’s ocean is habitable
A new study shown by NASA scientists at the Goldschmidt conference this week provides further evidence that Europa’s ocean is habitable and similar to Earth’s oceans. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/europa-ocean-habitable-goldschmidt-conference…
Saturn’s large moon Titan is drifting away 100 times faster than anyone knew
Saturn’s largest moon Titan is drifting away from the planet 100 times faster than previously thought, according to a new study from researchers in the U.S., France and Italy. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/saturn-moon-titan-drifting-away-100-faster…
Evidence for volcanic craters on Saturn’s moon Titan
Volcano-like features seen in polar regions of Saturn’s moon Titan by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft could be evidence of explosive eruptions that may continue today, according to a new paper by Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Charles A. Wood and coauthor Jani Radebaugh of Brigham Young University. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-06-evidence-volcanic-craters-saturn-moon.html…
Want to see Saturn’s rings? Read me 1st
The best time of 2020 for seeing Saturn’s glorious rings is nearly upon us. You’ve seen the photos, but maybe you want to see the rings with your own eyes? Here are a few things to think about. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/viewing-saturns-rings-tips-for-beginners…
Did ancient Mars have rings?
A new study of Mars’ smallest moon Deimos, by scientists from the SETI Institute and Purdue University, suggests that the planet used to have rings a few billion years ago. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/did-ancient-mars-have-rings-deimos…
Longest known comet tail stretched for over a billion kilometres
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft crossed paths with the elongated tail of a comet in 2002, picking up hydrogen ions from over a billion kilometres away Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2245355-longest-known-comet-tail-stretched-for-over-a-billion-kilometres/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
On Mars, mud flows like lava
Scientists in Europe have found that some features on Mars that were thought to be lava flows may actually have been flows of muddy water. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/mars-lava-mud-mud-volcanoes…