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Enceladus Plume Density from Cassini Spacecraft Attitude Control Data.
Ralph D Lorenz1, Thomas A Burk2
1Space Exploration Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723, USA.
Icarus
|December 8, 2018
Summary
Cassini spacecraft measurements reveal varying densities in Enceladus
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrobiology
- Space Physics
Background:
- Enceladus' plumes offer insights into its internal composition and potential habitability.
- Previous studies focused on individual plume components (gas or dust).
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the combined gas and dust mass density of Enceladus' plumes.
- To investigate variations in plume density and composition during multiple flybys.
Main Methods:
- Utilized telemetry data from Cassini's Attitude and Articulation Control System (AACS).
- Analyzed spacecraft thruster and reaction wheel data to deduce gas drag torques.
- Calculated total mass density (gas plus dust) from drag torques during close flybys.
Main Results:
- Drag torque measurements generally agree with other instruments' water vapor data (E5).
- Indicated higher mass densities on flybys E3 and E14, suggesting compositional variations.
- Recorded a peak mass density of ~5.5×10-11 kgm-3 during flyby E21 (October 2015).
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first measurements of combined gas and dust mass density in Enceladus' plumes.
- Observed density variations suggest dynamic changes in plume composition and gas:dust ratios.
- Findings contribute to understanding Enceladus' geophysical processes and astrobiological potential.
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