In new images obtained by the Cassini spacecraft during its close flyby of Saturn's moon Enceladus last November 21, scientists got their best views yet of the water ice geysers that erupt from that body's south polar regions, in its "tiger stripe" terrain.
The images revealed many more geysers than had previously been found, and showed that some of those that were already known had "turned off," at least temporarily. The images also showed the geysers erupt along fissures in the surface. The fissures are warmer than the surrounding area, which makes sense. Geysers need a power source, and increased warmth implies energy.
Enceladus' south polar region will enter a fifteen year period of darkness before Cassini flies by again. If the geyser activity is related to solar energy, it might well stop during that long winter. If the geysers are powered strictly by an internal power source, however, they may continue erupting. Watching the north polar region as it turns to the Sun during that period might also be interesting. Geyser activity might develop there.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment