“ buzz off feature locations in world images is a complex occupation , ” Schenk compose on his blog , StereoMoons . In the web log situation , he discuss the challenges of sifting through all of the images to make a cohesive mosaic map .
Some of the images obtained by Cassini used color that exist outside of normal human vision . utilize the nearly - infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths revealed structures that could not be pick up otherwise . Differences in coloring that can be see within our ocular spectrum depict charge particles , natural gas , and detritus that are being vented from the planet . The difference of opinion in color is predicted to be due to dispute in thickness of those feature .
Though these maps are quite exceptional , they are n’t totally finish . The area surrounding the north perch of Enceladus and a couple of regions on Iapetus require more imaging , which Cassini is expect to complete in 2015 .
have detailed maps of the moons ’ topography will be important for succeeding research . hump where landmarks exist on these satellites will give scientist a frame of reference of extension when studying fundamental features , in add-on to allowing them to tail any geologic changes that occur on the surface of the moonlight . next missions that may take the consumption of a lander are more likely to be successful if potential landing web site can be identified ahead of time and the terrain is well - realize . This has the potentiality to economize a considerable amount of time and money .
Cassini ’s primary foreign mission ended on July 30 , 2008 , but had been extended twice . The satellite is expect to stay useable until itruns out of fuel in 2017 . Cassini will be directed to enter Saturn ’s ambience at the end of its mission . Because the Moon Titan and Enceladus are two of the top candidates for potential extraterrestrial life , Cassini ’s operator do not want to adventure the spacecraft circumstantially pollute those location .
Mimas
NASA / JPL - Caltech / Space Science Institute / Lunar and Planetary Institute
Enceladus
genus Aplysia
Dione
Rhea
Iapetus
If you ’d like to see these maps with a side - by - side comparison of mathematical function return from Voyager data from the early 1980s , hold back it out onJPL ’s internet site .
Credit : ball-shaped maps of Saturnian Moon Mimas , Enceladus , Tethys , Dione , Rhea , Iapetus were produced by Dr. Paul Schenk ( Lunar and Planetary Institute , Houston , TX ) Image data are from the Imaging Science Subsystem ( ISS ) camera on the Cassini orbiter ( NASA , JPL ) .
[ Hat steer : Space.com ]
