A close pass at Rhea

[n2doc]

by J. Major



Here’s a close-up look at the extensively-cratered surface of Rhea, Saturn’s second-largest moon, captured by Cassini as it performed its closest flyby yet on the morning of January 11, 2010. Passing a mere 43 miles (69 km) over the surface, Cassini got a great look at some of the deep craters that literally cover the moon from pole to pole.

During the flyby Cassini used its dust analyzer and plasma and radio wave instruments to study the rate of dust ejected from meteorite impacts on Rhea, with the goal of giving scientists more insight to the composition and age of Saturn’s rings.

About 950 miles (1525 km) wide, Rhea is less than a third the size of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Rhea is very reflective, indicating that it is made up of a lot of water ice which behaves like solid rock at the low temperatures there – from -280º to -360º F.

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http://lightsinthedark.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/a-close-pass/

[BlueJazz]

1. Lower Right...Looks like meteor trails or ??????

[Nihil]

8. Damn off-roaders ruining all of the unspoilt wilderness ...

... oh ... wait ...
:hide:

[shireen]

2. OMG!

that is utterly spectacular!!!

Thanks for posting. :hi:

[mindwalker_i]

3. Is that Rush Limbaugh's butt?

Sorry, Rheatorical question.

[Rincewind]

4. No, Rush's

butt is much bigger.

[krispos42]

5. Very nice

[Thor_MN]

6. Danny Davito would like a word with you....

[YankeyMCC]

7. That would be some interesting hiking terrain n/t

[era veteran]

9. The impact splashes are pretty much oriented in the same

direction.