Organic molecules in saturnian E-ring particles. Probing subsurface oceans of Enceladus?

Details Organic molecules in saturnian E-ring particles. Probing subsurface oceans of Enceladus? Organic molecules in saturnian E-ring particles. Probing subsurface oceans of Enceladus?

Oct 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008iaus..251..317p&link_type=abstract

Organic Matter in Space, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 251, p. 317-318

Other

Scientific paper

The population of Saturn's outermost tenuous E-ring is dominated by tiny water ice particles, some of which contain organic or mineral impurities. Active cryo-volcanism on the moon Enceladus, embedded in the E-ring, has been known to be a major source of particles replenishing the ring since late 2005. Therefore, particles in the vicinity of Enceladus provide crucial information about the dynamic and chemical processes occurring far below the moon's icy surface.
We present a compositional analysis of thousands of impact ionisation mass spectra of Saturn's E-ring particles, with sizes predominantly below 1 μm, detected by the Cosmic Dust Analyser onboard the Cassini spacecraft. Our findings imply that organic compounds are a significant component of icy particles ejected by Enceladus plumes. Our in situ measurements are supported by detections of other Cassini instruments. They hint at a dynamic interaction of a hot rocky core with liquid water below the icy surface, where the organic molecules are generated. Further insights are expected from two close Enceladus flybys to be performed by Cassini in 2008. Then, for the first time, we will obtain spectra of freshly ejected particles at the traversals through the cryo-volcanic plumes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Organic molecules in saturnian E-ring particles. Probing subsurface oceans of Enceladus? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Organic molecules in saturnian E-ring particles. Probing subsurface oceans of Enceladus?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Organic molecules in saturnian E-ring particles. Probing subsurface oceans of Enceladus? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-849538