File:Enceladus Atmosphere (Artist's Concept) PIA06430.jpg

Enceladus Atmosphere (Artist's Concept)

This artist concept shows the detection of a dynamic atmosphere on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. The Cassini magnetometer instrument is designed to measure the magnitude and direction of the magnetic fields of Saturn and its moons. During Cassini's three close flybys of Enceladus -- Feb. 17, March 9 and July 14, 2005--the instrument detected a bending of the magnetic field around Enceladus due to electric currents generated by the interaction of atmospheric particles and the magnetosphere of Saturn.

The graphic shows the magnetic field observed by Cassini, as well as the predicted neutral cloud being vented from the south pole. Cassini's magnetometer observed bending of the magnetic field consistent with its draping around a conducting object. That indicates that the Saturnian plasma is being diverted away from an extended atmosphere.

• image source: http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA06430

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