Taking the Plunge: Cassini Soars by Enceladus
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On Monday, Nov. 2, NASA's Cassini spacecraft will take its deepest dive yet through the plumes of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The goal is to learn more about the composition and density of the plumes spewing from the moon’s south pole. This is the seventh targeted flyby of Enceladus, so we sometimes refer to it as “E7.”
To read a scientist’s take on the upcoming flyby, click here.
The animation shows the approach to Enceladus, rotating through the various instruments scanning Enceladus for data. Then at around 7:40 a.m. UTC, Cassini takes its long-anticipated dip through the heart of the plumes. The spacecraft then zooms away from the moon, continuing to take measurements against the background of the peach-colored Saturn. Then the spacecraft inspects Enceladus again.
For a more details on the spacecraft’s activities during the flyby, see the mission description.
Credit: NASA/JPL