pass enabled Cassini’s Ion and Neutral
Mass Spectrometer, or INMS, to get a
good whiff of the atmosphere, allowing
further analysis of the composition of the
atmosphere. Also Cassini’s Composite
Infrared Spectrometer, or CIRS, continued
to map the vertical structure of Titan’s
atmosphere in far-infrared wavelengths
of light. Scientists are watching for
seasonal changes as the moon’s southern
hemisphere heads into its several-yearslong winter season. Also the Visible and
Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, or
VIMS, extended its global and regional
map coverage of Titan. VIMS observed
the moon’s extended atmosphere as
it passes in front of the bright red star
Antares. These measurements of wellknown stars provide a useful probe of the
structure and density of the atmospheres
Titan will occur this year.
Cassini, as previously noted, is now in
a more polar orbit, and will make passes
through Saturn’s ring plane many times
over the next three-plus years of the
Solstice mission. Some of these passes will
actually be between the rings and the
the rings during these trips between the
planet and its rings.
of course, they will be continued to be used
as gravity assists to propel the spacecraft
and redirect
of course, but
will also serve
scientific
purposes.
The recent
discoveries of
the icy plumes
shooting from
the surface,
and possible
seas
below
the
surface
of Enceladus
make it a
focal point for further investigation. As
noted earlier, investigation of these
plumes revealed that the spray contains
complex organic chemicals. Tidal
heating is keeping Enceladus warm,
and hotspots associated with the plumes
have been pinpointed. With heat,
organic chemicals and, potentially liquid
water, Enceladus could be a place
where primitive life forms could evolve.
Enceladus’s “astrobiological potential”
are at the heart of many investigations
being conducted in the Solstice Mission.
The spacecraft will study the bright
and dark surfaces of Dione and Rhea to
compare their geological and cratering
histories with those of other icy moons.
Further analysis of the unique thermal
features recently discovered on Mimas
will be performed.
Titan and many other moons will be
channel and
ridge area
on Titan
NASA/JPL/
top priority as scientists hope to catch
the moon’s surface features in the act
of changing. The spacecraft will look for
signs of seasonal climate change such as
planet, a path no other mission has done
before. By diving between Saturn and its
rings, the team hopes to obtain in depth
knowledge of the gas giant. Cassini will
study the internal structure of Saturn, its
28
28
as well as evidence of volcanic activity.
All these passes will certainly reveal
more secrets of Saturn, its ring system,
and its moons. So stay tuned for more
amazing photographs and more exciting
years from Cassini.
To learn more about Cassini’s
accomplishments visit the mission’s
website at http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/.
www.RocketSTEM .org