Cassini Solstice Mission: Pan

Cassini - Solstice Mission

Pan

Pan

Moons - Pan

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Pan's Progress

Pan Multimedia Gallery

Pan, the innermost of Saturn's known moons, is located within the Encke Gap of Saturn's A-ring. It acts as a shepherd satellite and is responsible for keeping the Encke Gap open.

Flyby Dates

No targeted flyby.

Closest approach: July 1, 2004 -- 57,662 kilometers (35,829 miles)

Fast Facts

Discovered in 1990 by the Voyager team (by reexamining photos taken nine years earlier near the predicted locations)
Distance from Saturn: 133,583 km (83,005 miles)
Period of Orbit around Saturn: 13.8 hours
Diameter: 20 km (12.5 miles)
Mass: 5 x 10¹⁵ kg (11 x 10¹⁵ lbs)

Science Goals

Determine general characteristics and geological history of Pan
Define the different physical processes that created the surface of Pan
Investigate composition and distribution of surface materials on Pan, particularly dark, organic-rich materials and condensed ice with low melting point
Determine the bulk composition and internal structure of Pan
Investigate interaction of Pan with Saturn's magnetosphere and ring system


	Saturn's Moons (sorted alphabetically)

Aegaeon Aegir Albiorix Anthe Atlas Bebhionn Bergelmir Bestla Calypso Daphnis Dione Enceladus Epimetheus Erriapus	Farbauti Fenrir Fornjot Greip Hati Helene Hyperion Hyrrokkin Iapetus Ijiraq Janus Jarnsaxa Kari Kiviuq	Loge Methone Mimas Mundilfari Narvi Paaliaq Pallene Pan Pandora Phoebe Polydeuces Prometheus Rhea	Siarnaq Skadi Skoll Surtur Suttung Tarqeq Tarvos Telesto Tethys Thrym Titan Ymir
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