Scientists link Saturn moon to outer solar system
Posted: Mon, May 9, 2005, 6:51 AM ET (1051 GMT)
Planetary scientists reported last week that an outer moon of Saturn surveyed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft last year most likely originated in the outer solar system. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, scientists said that Phoebe bears a closer resemblance to Pluto and members of the Kuiper Belt than the other moons of Saturn. Scientists reached that conclusion based on measurements of the moon's density made when Cassini flew by Phoebe in June 2004, shortly before entering orbit around Saturn: the relative proportions of rock and ice are more like those seen in the Kuiper Belt than Saturn's other moons. Scientists believe that Phoebe formed in the Kuiper Belt but strayed inwards, and was eventually captured by Saturn.
Planetary scientists reported last week that an outer moon of Saturn surveyed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft last year most likely originated in the outer solar system. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, scientists said that Phoebe bears a closer resemblance to Pluto and members of the Kuiper Belt than the other moons of Saturn. Scientists reached that conclusion based on measurements of the moon's density made when Cassini flew by Phoebe in June 2004, shortly before entering orbit around Saturn: the relative proportions of rock and ice are more like those seen in the Kuiper Belt than Saturn's other moons. Scientists believe that Phoebe formed in the Kuiper Belt but strayed inwards, and was eventually captured by Saturn.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Apex becomes billion-dollar company with $200 million Series D round
Posted: Sun, Sep 14 4:09 AM ET (0809 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, September 18
Russia developing Starlink rival at 'rapid pace,' space chief says
Reuters — 1:56 am ET (0556 GMT) Rocket Lab Looks To Raise $750M In Share Sale
Aviation Week — 1:53 am ET (0553 GMT) Blue Origin hires Christopher Fuller as marketing and comms head
PRWeek — 1:52 am ET (0552 GMT) Weather Causes SpaceX Team to Scrub Wednesday’s Liftoff Attempt From VSFB
Noozhawk — 1:50 am ET (0550 GMT) Update: SpaceX Launch from Vandenberg Rescheduled Due to Weather
Santa Barbara (CA) Edhat — 1:50 am ET (0550 GMT) |
