PASADENA, Calif. NASAs Cassini spacecraft just finished its final rendezvous with one of the strangest moons in the known universe.
Hyperion, which is shaped like a potato, is one of the moons orbiting the planet Saturn. NASA called it one of the most bizarre objects in the solar system. Detailed images of the moons scarred surface made it back to Earth Tuesday.
The Cassini spacecraft was designed to provide close-up views of Saturn and its satellites, according to NASA. It entered the planets orbit on June 30, 2004, and made its last visit to Hyperion Sunday, before continuing on to fly by other moons.
Cassini was 21,000 miles away from Hyperion when it snapped the photos. Researchers said it is difficult to target a specific area for photographs because the moon rotates chaotically. The images reveal a sponge-like surface, which shows the moon likely has a low density, according to NASA.
Its low density indicates Hyperion is quite porous, with weak surface gravity, a statement from NASA reads. These characteristics mean impactors tend to compress the surface, rather than excavating it, and most material that is blown off the surface never returns.
The closest Cassini ever got to Hyperion was in 2005, when it came within 314 miles of the moon. In 2017, the spacecraft is slated to fly repeatedly through the space between Saturn and its rings, according to NASA.
Hyperion, which is shaped like a potato, is one of the moons orbiting the planet Saturn. NASA called it one of the most bizarre objects in the solar system. Detailed images of the moons scarred surface made it back to Earth Tuesday.
The Cassini spacecraft was designed to provide close-up views of Saturn and its satellites, according to NASA. It entered the planets orbit on June 30, 2004, and made its last visit to Hyperion Sunday, before continuing on to fly by other moons.
Cassini was 21,000 miles away from Hyperion when it snapped the photos. Researchers said it is difficult to target a specific area for photographs because the moon rotates chaotically. The images reveal a sponge-like surface, which shows the moon likely has a low density, according to NASA.
Its low density indicates Hyperion is quite porous, with weak surface gravity, a statement from NASA reads. These characteristics mean impactors tend to compress the surface, rather than excavating it, and most material that is blown off the surface never returns.
The closest Cassini ever got to Hyperion was in 2005, when it came within 314 miles of the moon. In 2017, the spacecraft is slated to fly repeatedly through the space between Saturn and its rings, according to NASA.