CassiniHuygens

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Google doodle: The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft and its final trip.

Cassini is the fourth space probe to visit Saturn and the first to enter orbit. It has studied the planet and its many natural satellites since arriving there in 2004. Its mission is ongoing as of April 2017.

On April 22, the Cassini spacecraft made the last pass from Titan. On April 26, Cassini - moving at 122,000 kilometers per hour - will make the first of a series of "dives" in the 2.400-kilometer gap between the giant planet and the innermost ring of it, the D ring.

In this final phase scientists hope to learn more about both Saturn's inner structure and the origin of the spectacular rings that surround him. Among other things, the vessel will collect the first samples from the atmosphere of the planet, while photographing closer than ever the clouds around Saturn as well as itsinner rings. It will also map its gravitational and magnetic field.

One reason the ship will self-destruct on Saturn is that the scientists want to be sure it will not fall on Titan or Enceladus, perhaps contaminating them with earthy germs. Although Cassini was sterilized before leaving Earth in 1997, it is possible that some terrestrial microorganisms have survived on it. Given that Saturn's big moons are candidates for the discovery of life forms, scientists want to avoid confusion with the life that has been transferred from Earth.

More about Cassini-Huygens here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassini%E2%80%93Huyg...

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Recent Comments

21

Excellent Post, I learned from it.

Funny thing about it self-destructing, I guess immunity is a factor in more ways thank I ever imagined... :-)

Thank you Reanna

You are so welcome, Leon!

It will be interesting to see what is discovered. Thank you for sharing.

You are welcome, Thomas!

Lovely post, thank you.

You are welcome, Pat!

I did not know that about the sterilisation. Very interesting and informative. thank you

You are welcome!

I'm very fascinated with Titan and the appearance of lakes on the first body outside of earth. It would have been interesting if the landing there had splashed down in liquid black oil! There is a video of Titan that looks like the spacecraft passes a building with front steps close to the landing point!

Wow, Mike! I did not know that!

I knew it Rebecca! You have an affinity and liking for space travel and the wonders of the universe. A great article. Every so often we get a moldy orange that has splotches and cracks in it and I say "Let's throw that Enceladus out!"

Thank you, Mike! Yes I do!

Thank you Rebecca...I have been fascinated with space travel all mi life and the CassiniHuygens mission is simply exciting!!!

Of course, it is, Arthur!

Amazing, can't wait for new photos of the inner rings of this beautiful planet!

Me too, Nicky! Κι εγώ επίσης! :)

Should be a rocky experience. None of the current pics are close enough to see the rings as anything but smooth!

Thanks, Rebecca. I like the interesting facts about Cassini.

You are welcome, Glen!

Thanks for the Cassini update Rebecca. I had not realized the germ factor involved in its self-destruct on Saturn.

You are welcome, Wayne!

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