Cassini U.S.-European Equinox Mission Images Saturn System as Planet's Seasons Change

Cassini Images Saturn System as Planet's Seasons Change

BY CRAIG COVAULT
SPACEFLIGHT NOW

December 8, 2009

The Cassini spacecraft in orbit around Saturn a billion miles from Earth is beginning its new U.S.-European Equinox Mission with a series of high-value passes over Saturn's rings and close flybys of its scientifically most important moons.

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During the equinox itself, Saturn was bathed in more subtle lighting hitting the ring system edge on. The giant planet was resplendent during the few days these specific lighting angles prevailed.



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Once Cassini arrived at Enceladus on this orbit 121 pass, it obtained the highest resolution imagery of moon, revealing more than a dozen cryo-volcanic jets along with new detail on the rugged terrain around the water vapor vents.

As many as 15 jets have been found in this image by analysts, although 10-12 are more readily visible to the naked eye.



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Much rougher terrain is imaged in the picture below, the location on the surface where the tiger stripe terrain opens into vents that tap the subsurface water supply, then blast it skyward.



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Spokes appear bright when they are viewed at phase, or sun-Saturn-spacecraft, angles higher than about 45 degrees. The phase angle in this image is 64 degrees. Also, the contrast is even greater in this image since the surrounding rings are darkened during the equinox period at Saturn.



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