Tuesday we TASTE the world of Enceladus! We explore the cosmic convenience of Enceladus and how Cassini gets to TASTE those gigantic geysers! A galactic FEAST for the senses
Enceladus - free samples and a mystery solved
There are few things in life that are free. However, in the outer solar system, on a little moon of Saturn, scientists have been gifted “free” samples released from watery tombs bursting from the subterranean ocean on Enceladus.
LIBBRETTO
Enceladus frost and flame
Orbiting in Saturn’s reign
Whispers from an icy shell
Oceans deep with fiery swell
Thanks to these towering fountains emanating from the moon’s south pole, planetary scientists benefit from the convenience of this natural phenomenon where their spacecraft can directly fly through these gigantic geysers to analyze its composition and “taste” the material.
LIBBRETTO
Vapors bursting veils the skies
Rings of frost, lay Saturn’s frame
Fountains towards a night sky to claim
These spectacular fountains extend tens of thousands of kilometers into the sky. Some particles travel as far as Saturn to become what is now known as Saturn’s E-ring; yet another mystery the legendary Cassini spacecraft solved during its tour of Saturn. (2004-2017)
Enceladus Tendrils Image Credit: Ron Miller
LIBBRETTO
The lofty, towering sight
That crawled the sky in height
Enceladus, Enceladus,
According to lead scientist Dr Linda Spilker, Cassini was able to identify not only water but traces of methane, ammonia, simple organic molecules, salts and what even looks like fragments of larger organic molecules that might hold clues about the potential for life in its ocean.
3D Animation by Ed Bell - Former Director of Scientific America
Unfortunately, Cassini was not carrying an instrument that could positively identify microbial life, which is why there is great interest in returning to Enceladus to investigate its ocean’s chemical composition that could potentially hold the conditions to harbour life.
LIBBRETTO
Tremors from a mystical site
Hostage ice dust burst in flight
Thanks to Cassini’s spectacular discovery, the famous geysers that feature on moon Enceladus, now rank as one of the seven natural wonders of our solar system.
While we await future missions to return with instruments to examine Enceladus‘ ocean, we can immerse our minds while musing with music as we contemplate the mystical possibilities from the subterranean tremors emanating mysterious matter from the exotic world of moon Enceladus.
LIBBRETTO
Rows and rows, rows and rows
Rows and rows, rows and rows of
Plumes arise, plumes arise
IV Movement - Opening passage of Enceladus
EXPERIENCE THE MOONS SYMPHONY