Labtayt Sulci on Saturns Enceladus
Explanation:
Do some surface features on Enceladus roll like a
conveyor belt?
A leading interpretation of
recent images taken of Saturn's
most explosive moon indicate that they do.
This form of asymmetric
tectonic activity, very unusual on Earth,
likely holds clues to the internal structure of
Enceladus,
which may contain subsurface seas where
life might be able to develop.
Pictured above is
a composite of 28 images taken by the robotic
Cassini spacecraft in October just after swooping by the
ice-spewing orb.
Inspection of these images show clear
tectonic displacements
where large portions of the surface all appear to
move all in one direction.
Near the top of the image appears one of the most prominent tectonic divides:
Labtayt Sulci,
a canyon about one kilometer deep.
Note : APOD Editor to Speak in New York on Jan. 2
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
