Free Astronomy Magazine November-December 2017

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017 SATURN Craters and cratered terrains are rare in this view of the southern region of Enceladus. Instead, the surface is re- plete with fractures, folds, and ridges, all hallmarks of remarkable tectonic activity for a relatively small world. [NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute] Dramatic plumes, both large and small, spray water ice and vapor from many locations along the famed "tiger stripes" near the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus. The tiger stripes are four prominent, approximately 135- kilometer-long fractures that cross the moon's south polar terrain. This two-image mosaic is one of the high- est resolution views acquired by Cassini during its imag- ing survey of the geyser basin capping the southern hemisphere of Saturn's moon Enceladus. It clearly shows the curvilinear arrangement of geysers, erupting from the fractures. [NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute] Saturn's active, ocean-bearing moon Enceladus sinks behind the giant planet in a farewell portrait from NASA's Cassini spacecraft. This view of Enceladus was taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft on Sept. 13, 2017. It is among the last images Cassini sent back. [NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute] ENCELADUS