Enceladus

 



Introduction :

Enceladus is the 6th largest moon of Saturn and the 19th largest moon of the solar system. It is the brightest and the youngest moon of the solar system. 


Physical character :

It is about 500 kilometers in diameter i.e. about tenth of that of Saturn’s largest moon Titan. Enceladus is mostly covered by fresh, clean ice, which makes it one of the most reflective bodies of the solar system. It’s minimum temperature is (-2400C) and it’s maximum temperature is (-1280C). It’s mass is about 680 times less then Earth’s moon. It was found by William Herschel on 28th August 1789, but very little was known about it. 


Chemical character :

On 14th June ,2023, NASA has found that phosphate is present in the Enceladus’ ocean at levels at least 100 times higher than in Earth’. It was the first extra terrestrial ocean world in which phosphorus was found. A global salty ocean and hydrothermal vents were discovered on it’s sea floor. Scientists now say that Enceladus’ ocean is likely quite habitable for earthly standards. There is even evidence now for active hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) that strike both Enceladus’ surface and the lofted icy particles produce ionising radiations in form of high energy electrons, protons, gamma rays, neutrons and muons. Enceladus has a significant atmosphere composed mostly of water vapour. It is believed to originate from gases escaping from it.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“A kind word”

A postman - An emotion for everyone