Friday, September 30, 2005

Yes. Gimme More Saturn, More Mediaburn Please Saturn's Moons. BBC Space -- It may have the look of a giant sponge, but this is Saturn's moon Hyperion, as pictured by the Cassini spacecraft. The US-European probe has just made a flyby of the satellite, crossing its surface at a distance of just 500km. The surface is speckled with impact craters which scientists say have been modified by some process, not yet understood, to create the strange look. Much of the interior of Hyperion is empty space, suggesting it is little more than a pile of space rubble. Researchers say they are keen to learn the nature of the dark material which seems to cover the floor of some craters. Also in Cassini's sights recently has been the moon Tethys. It is much bigger. Whereas Hyperion is just 266km across, Tethys has a diameter of 1,071km. Clearly visible in the new picture is the giant scar dubbed Ithaca Chasma. It is about 65km wide and several km deep. Cassini will return to Tethys in 2007 for another close look. Another flyby of Hyperion is not scheduled in the initial four-year mission to the Saturnian system. (09/30/05) [Synergic Earth News] 8:24:21 PM

Scotland Travelogue Scotland. Armin is making progress with his Scotland travelogue. There are quite some breathtaking pictures there. [The Cartoonist] 8:12:06 AM