WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) — The surfaces of Dione and Enceladus, two of Saturn’s many moons, are made up of the same materials. But Enceladus’ surface is significantly more reflective, making it brighter against the blackness of space.
In a recent image captured by Cassini, the brightness of Enceladus and Dione are juxtaposed. Cassini’s narrow-angle camera snapped the shot on September 8, 2015. Dione appears in the foreground, with Enceladus’ brighter surface glowing in the distance.
The icy jets of Enceladus’ south pole constantly shower the moon’s surface with ice grains. Like a fresh coat of snow, the icy spray renders the lunar surface shinier.
Dione’s surface isn’t as fresh. Its surface is darkened by “space weathering,” the constant barrage of radiation, dust and debris. A combination of craters and scars further diminish its reflectivity.
Earlier this month, Cassini executed its closest fly-by above Enceladus’ polar jets, allowing its instruments to collect samples of the icy particles expelled from the moon’s polar fissures. The probe will encounter Enceladus again in December.
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