Saturn’s gravitational pull is responsible for the mysterious geysers blasting off of one of the planet’s small moons that spew water into space, astronomers suggest.
The intensity of the jets of water ice and organic particles that shoot out from Saturn’s moon Enceladus depends on the moon’s proximity to the ringed planet, according to data obtained by Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft. The finding adds to evidence that a liquid water reservoir or ocean lurks under the icy surface of the moon. This is the first clear observation the bright plume emanating from Enceladus’ south pole varies predictably.
The findings are detailed in a scientific paper in the journal Nature. “The jets of Enceladus apparently work like adjustable garden hose nozzles,” said Matt Hedman, the paper’s lead author and a Cassini team scientist based at Cornell University.
Cassini, which has been orbiting Saturn since 2004, discovered the jets that form the plume in 2005.