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ffr

(22,649 posts)
Fri Dec 29, 2017, 02:06 PM Dec 2017

NASA just released a gorgeous photo of Saturns moon Enceladus that holds a secret



Saturn is an incredibly interesting planet for a number of reasons, not least of which is its iconic rings, but one of its many moons might actually be more worthy of attention than the planet itself. Enceladus, a frosty body measuring a measly 160 miles in radius, has captured the attention of astronomers due to its peculiar behavior, and NASA just released a stunning photo showcasing the far-off moon’s most exciting feature.

The image, which was captured by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft prior to its fateful descent into Saturn’s atmosphere, shows Enceladus bathed in light from the sun. It’s a gorgeous photo, especially with Saturn’s flashy rings acting as a backdrop, but it’s the hazy mist just below the moon that deserves your attention more than anything else.

That blurry glow is light being caught by powerful geysers of liquid water which the moon spews out of its southern pole. The water, which freezes upon being spat out, is proof that the moon holds liquid water beneath its frozen shell, and scientists are growing increasingly interested in the possibility that life might actually exist closer to the moon’s core.
Recent studies have suggested that tidal movements generated by Saturn’s gravitational pull may be enough to keep the interior of the moon warm, and water plus heat is often thought to be a big precursor to life as we know it. - BGR

Liquid water geysers on another celestial body is kinda big news.
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NASA just released a gorgeous photo of Saturns moon Enceladus that holds a secret (Original Post) ffr Dec 2017 OP
If nothing more we should get a probe that exboyfil Dec 2017 #1
Cool! ...nt 2naSalit Dec 2017 #2
A water droplet 320 miles across pscot Dec 2017 #3

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
1. If nothing more we should get a probe that
Fri Dec 29, 2017, 02:12 PM
Dec 2017

can fly through that mist collecting it to look for organics and possibly even "biologicals". Before we puzzled how to punch through Europa's ice. We don't even need to do that with this moon.

You are right this is very big news.

Reviewing Wikipedia this program was not selected for NASA funding. If I were the Chinese I would go for it. I can't see why it doesn't go to near the top of the list.

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