Discovering Enceladus' Inner Workings

On November 30 and December 21, astronomers will have new opportunities to conduct in-depth studies of the surface of the peculiar Saturnine moon Enceladus, which features geysers at its South Pole.

This space body has captured the imagination of experts for years, since the NASA Cassini probe first entered orbit around the gas giant, on July 1, 2004. The spacecraft has been conducting regular flybys of various moons ever since.

In its investigation, the orbiter discovered tiger stripes-like features on the moon, from which geysers containing organic particles and water/ice vapors were emitted in powerful jets.

This hints at an active interior, which led many to believe that Enceladus may be harboring an ocean of liquid water under miles-thick ice sheets. Though this is the leading theory, some doubts still exist.

This is why the last few flights the space probe conducted were focused on gaining more data about the inner structure and workings of the moon, rather than studying its surface.

Astronomers and planetary scientists are mainly interested in what powers the icy geysers and jets that look so spectacular when viewed against the Sun. The phenomenon is also believed to fuel one of Saturn's rings with fresh matter.

During the new flybys, which will take Cassini very close to the surface of its target, the radio equipment on the probe will be used to gain more insight into the moon's gravitational pull.

Data on this aspect could help scientists determine the interior structure of the core, and perhaps even determine whether a liquid ocean actually exists under the frozen exterior. The South Pole will remain the main target for these studies.

The first flyby, on November 30, will see the spacecraft passing some 48 kilometers (30 miles) above Enceladus, which is extremely close. In the second, on December 21, the probe will pass similarly close, at an altitude of 50 kilometers.

Researchers are now watching with interest to see if the probe will be brought back online. Cassini entered a safe-mode state on November 2, due to a fault in data transmuted from Earth.

A solar storm is believed to be responsible for damaging the information mission controllers sent the probe. The onboard computers rebooted to prevent further damage, Universe Today reports. 

Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), who manage the mission, say that the probe will be brought online today. All repair work has been completed, and the new commands uploaded into the system.