Enceladus

Enceladus is one of the seven regular moons of Saturn. This moon supplies the material used to form Saturn’s E ring. Learn all about Enceladus here!

Formation

The formation of Enceladus is thought to be tied to the early stages of the Saturnian system's evolution. Current theories propose that Enceladus, like other moons and planets, formed from the protoplanetary disk of gas and dust surrounding the young Sun. Particles within this disk collided and coalesced under gravitational forces, forming increasingly larger objects. Enceladus is believed to have formed within Saturn's circumplanetary disk, closer to the planet. Its composition, primarily consisting of water ice and rocky material, was influenced by the conditions in this region of the disk.

Surface

Enceladus boasts a diverse and captivating surface. It features smooth, icy plains punctuated by intricate fractures and ridges, evidence of both ancient and ongoing geologic activity. One of its most remarkable features is the "Tiger Stripes," long fissures near its south pole, where geysers of water vapor and icy particles erupt into space. These plumes originate from a subsurface ocean, and the ejection of material contributes to the formation of Saturn's E Ring. The surface also displays craters of varying sizes, indicating different stages of impact history and potential resurfacing processes. The icy terrain of Enceladus is thought to be relatively young, given the lack of heavily cratered regions. The Cassini spacecraft's close flybys provided detailed images and data that revealed the unique features and ongoing activity of Enceladus' surface, sparking further investigations into its potential habitability and the mysteries of its internal ocean.

Structure

Enceladus' internal structure is a subject of great interest due to its potential for hosting a subsurface ocean. It is believed to have a differentiated composition with a rocky core, surrounded by a layer of liquid water, and an outer shell of ice. The presence of a subsurface ocean is strongly suggested by the geysers of water vapor and icy particles erupting from the "Tiger Stripes" near the moon's south pole. This ocean is thought to be in direct contact with the moon's rocky core and may provide the conditions necessary for the development of life, making Enceladus a prime target for astrobiological investigations. The ocean's potential heat source could be tidal interactions with Saturn's gravitational forces, which create flexing and heating within the moon's interior.

Satellites

The Cassini spacecraft has conducted extensive observations of Enceladus. Cassini's mission provided a wealth of data and images of the moon's surface, geysers, and plumes, revealing its active geology and the potential presence of a subsurface ocean. The spacecraft performed close flybys of Enceladus, passing through the plumes of water vapor and icy particles erupting from the "Tiger Stripes," a series of long fissures near the moon's south pole. Cassini's instruments analyzed the composition of these plumes, contributing to our understanding of the moon's internal characteristics. These observations have transformed our understanding of Enceladus and its potential habitability.