Cassini spacecraft for Saturn moon pass

[pinto]

Cassini spacecraft for Saturn moon pass

By Paul Rincon
Science editor, BBC News website



The Cassini spacecraft is to make its lowest pass yet over the south pole of Enceladus, an active moon of Saturn which may harbour a liquid water ocean.

The flyby, at an altitude of 74km (46mi), will allow Cassini to "taste" the jets of ice and water vapour that gush from the moon's polar region.

Several lines of evidence suggest these jets are fed by a liquid water ocean beneath Enceladus' outer icy shell.

The spacecraft's closest approach will take place at 1930 GMT on Tuesday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17526723

[lastlib]

1. What an amazing time we live in!!

Pity the Repugs who can't appreciate it with their god-driven, anti-science mindsets...