Enceladus

3D Model

This set of global, color mosaics of Saturn’s moon Enceladus was produced from images taken by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft during its first ten years exploring the Saturn system. These are the first global color maps of these moons produced from the Cassini data.

The yellowish and magenta tones in the map are believed to be due to differences in the thickness of surface deposits there. In addition, many of the most recently formed fractures on Enceladus have a stronger ultraviolet signature (meaning they are brighter), and they appear bluish in these maps.

The colors shown in these global mosaics are enhanced, or broader, relative to human vision, extending into the ultraviolet and infrared range.

Resolution on Enceladus in the maps is 100 meters per pixel.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute/Lunar and Planetary Institute. Link: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA18435