by Spectral data gathered by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard NASA’s Cassini spacecraft provide strong evidence that the northern hemisphere of Saturn’s moon Enceladus has been resurfaced with ice from its interior.
In 2005, the scientists discovered that Enceladus, which looks like a highly reflective, bright white snowball to the naked eye, shoots out enormous plumes of ice grains and vapor from an ocean that lies under the icy crust.
The new spectral map shows that infrared signals clearly correlate with that geologic activity, which is easily seen at the south pole.
That’s where the so-called ‘tiger stripes’ blast ice and vapor from the interior ocean.
But some of the same infrared features also appear in the northern hemisphere.
That tells the researchers not only that the northern area is covered with fresh ice but that the same kind of geologic activity — a resurfacing of the landscape — has occurred in both hemispheres.
Continued...
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In 2005, the scientists discovered that Enceladus, which looks like a highly reflective, bright white snowball to the naked eye, shoots out enormous plumes of ice grains and vapor from an ocean that lies under the icy crust.
The new spectral map shows that infrared signals clearly correlate with that geologic activity, which is easily seen at the south pole.
That’s where the so-called ‘tiger stripes’ blast ice and vapor from the interior ocean.
But some of the same infrared features also appear in the northern hemisphere.
That tells the researchers not only that the northern area is covered with fresh ice but that the same kind of geologic activity — a resurfacing of the landscape — has occurred in both hemispheres.
Continued...
Source
