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NASA plunges into Enceladus' icy plumes (pictures)

Here's the first batch of images from the Cassini spacecraft's extremely close pass by Saturn's frozen moon Enceladus.

Eric Mack
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Eric Mack
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1 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Icy surface

The Cassini spacecraft on Wednesday flew within 30 miles of Enceladus' rugged, icy exterior surface.

The close pass also took the spacecraft through a mysterious plume of liquid, ice and gas particles shooting out of the south pole of the Saturnian moon. Cassini collected samples during the pass, which scientist hope will teach us more about Enceladus and its potential habitability.

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2 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Southern Enceladus

The southern hemisphere of Enceladus, taken on approach by Cassini.

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3 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

South pole geysers

Cassini's target for the fly-by, the strange geysers shooting out of Enceladus south pole, backlit by the sun.

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4 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

A moon and rings

Enceladus drifts above the rings of Saturn, as seen by Cassini this week.

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5 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Not what it appears to be

The full globe of Enceladus, believed to be an icy shell concealing a hidden global ocean.

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6 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Mist?

It's not yet clear what we're seeing in this image taken from Cassini's raw feed. Could this be what Cassini saw as it flew through the plume?

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7 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Digital Enceladus?

There looks to be some digital noise or other artifacts on this unprocessed image of Enceladus taken this week. Whatever it is, it creates an interesting effect.

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8 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

Shining spray

Another image of the plumes, this time inverted and with some interesting glare or other visual effects going on.

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9 of 9 NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

So long, Enceladus!

Shown without its plumes visible, Enceladus hovers near the edge of the frame in this image. Scientists will continue to process the data from the close fly-by as Cassini prepares for a final, high-altitude pass in December.

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