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Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicA temperature map of Saturn's moon Enceladus, produced by the Composite Infrared Spectrometer on the NASA/ESA/ASI spacecraft.
Based on data from previous fly-bys, the south pole should be very cold, as shown in the left panel. The right-hand panel shows a global temperature image made from measurements of radiation at wavelengths between 9 and 16.5 micrometre. The south pole is 15 Kelvin warmer than expected.
Cassini made the observation from a distance of 84 000 kilometres on the approach to Enceladus, and the image shows details as small as 25 kilometres across.