Geysers on Enceladus are Powered in Part by Saturn’s Gravity

(Before It's News)

Dramatic plumes, both large and small, spray water ice out from many locations along the famed “tiger stripes” near the south pole of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI.

The geyser jets of Enceladus don’t shoot out in a continuous stream, but are more like an adjustable garden hose nozzle, says Cassini scientist Matt Hedman, author of a new paper about the inner workings of this fascinating tiger-striped moon. Observations from Cassini has found that the bright plume emanating from Enceladus’ south pole varies predictably. The fluctuating factor appears to the how far or close Enceladus is to its home planet, Saturn.
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Post tags: Cassini, dione, Enceladus, Saturn

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