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WHAT TO SEE
Varied terrain
Enceladus has at least five different types of terrain. These include fissures, plains, corrugated terrain and other deformations.
Enceladus is continually squeezed by the changing gravitational fields of Saturn and its nearby moons. This generates heat within the moon, forcing liquid water to the surface in a process known as 'cryovolcanism'.
Perhaps because of this volcanic activity, much of the surface of Enceladus is smooth. However, the moon also contains systems of faults and craters. It's possible that the moon has broken apart and reformed during its history.
Saturn's rings
Enceladus may be the source of the material in one of the rings of Saturn. Volcanic activity on Enceladus may have thrown out debris that the giant Saturn hoovered up into its rocky rings.
Mutated moon
Enceladus is slightly egg-shaped. It's width differs from its height by about 10km.
Inside Enceladus
The interior of Enceladus is a mystery. The varied terrain suggest that it could be made of liquid. But it's so far from the Sun that the moon should have frozen a long time ago.
It's possible that Enceladus is heated by a tidal mechanism similar to Jupiter's moon Io. It is caught between the gravitational fields of Saturn and its large neighboring satellites, Tethys and Dione. These combined forces could heat its core to prevent it from freezing.
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TRAVEL INFORMATION
Before you leave
Finding Enceladus shouldn't be a problem. Although it's not the brightest body in the Solar System, Enceladus is the most shiny. It reflects virtually 100% of the light that falls upon it.
When you arrive
Make sure you wrap up warm. Because Enceladus reflects so much sunlight, the surface temperature is only -201°C (-330°F).
LOCAL HISTORY
In Greek mythology, Enceladus was a Titan who was defeated in battle by the God Athena, and buried under Mount Etna.
Discovery
Enceladus was discovered in 1789 by Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel.
SPOTTING ENCELADUS FROM THE EARTH
Enceladus is not visible from the Earth with the naked eye, but can be seen with a telescope.
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