Incredible images of Enceladus and Hyperion sent back from Saturn system by Cassini spacecraft

On the 30^th of November, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft flew by the one of Saturn’s moons, Enceladus. The spacecraft sent back images of the South Pole of the moon, as well as flying within 30 miles of the northern hemisphere. 

The darkened terrain of the surface is a sign that the winter months are now in effect in the south. Nonetheless, the background light showed the jets bursting from the surface.

Not the first time Cassini has imaged Enceladus, this flyby and an upcoming flyby will be the closest of the extended Solstice mission. The closest flyby took place in October of 2008 coming within 16 miles of the moon. 

Science wise, Cassini took gravity measurements to better understand the moon’s interior, and particle experiments taking readings of the charged particles around it. 

Also a couple days before the Enceladus flyby, Cassini flew within 45,000 miles of Hyperion and took some interesting images of the surface of this moon as well. 

NASA's Cassini spacecraft obtained this raw image of the Saturnian moon Hyperion on Nov. 28, 2010. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SS

NASA's Cassini spacecraft obtained this raw image of the south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus on Nov. 30, 2010. Image credit: NASA/JPL/SSI