Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The Geysers Of Enceladus

Saturn's moon Enceladus is known for its geysers that spew water vapor and other materials miles into space.  A new study finds the strength of those eruptions are related to when they occur in Enceladus' orbit.

When Enceladus is farthest from Saturn, the eruptions are most powerful; when closest, they are weakest.  Scientists explain the situation by noting Enceladus is constantly being stressed-- but at constantly varying rates, depending on orbitial position-- by the gravitational tugs of Saturn and another moon, Dione.  It's that varying stress that leads to the varying eruptions.

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