Skip to comments.
Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Mimas: Small Moon with a Big Crater
NASA ^
| October 21, 2014
| (see photo credit)
Posted on 10/26/2014 7:11:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Whatever hit Mimas nearly destroyed it. What remains is one of the largest impact craters on one of Saturn's smallest moons. The crater, named Herschel after the 1789 discoverer of Mimas, Sir William Herschel, spans about 130 kilometers and is pictured above. Mimas' low mass produces a surface gravity just strong enough to create a spherical body but weak enough to allow such relatively large surface features. Mimas is made of mostly water ice with a smattering of rock - so it is accurately described as a big dirty snowball. The above image was taken during the 2010 February flyby of the robot spacecraft Cassini now in orbit around Saturn. A recent analysis of Mimas's unusual wobble indicates that it might house a liquid water interior ocean.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; cassini; catastrophism; mimas; saturn; science
[Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, ISS, JPL, ESA, NASA; Digital Processing: Supportstorm]
1
posted on
10/26/2014 7:11:53 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; dayglored; ...
2
posted on
10/26/2014 7:12:17 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: SunkenCiv
3
posted on
10/26/2014 7:15:45 AM PDT
by
Crazieman
(Article V or National Divorce. The only solutions now.)
To: SunkenCiv
lol Looks kind of like the Death Star.
4
posted on
10/26/2014 7:16:43 AM PDT
by
KoRn
(Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
To: SunkenCiv
There’s another moon out there like this too...how is it they weren’t destroyed by these impacts?
5
posted on
10/26/2014 7:19:40 AM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
To: SunkenCiv
I usually get a new ball before they’re chewed up that bad.
6
posted on
10/26/2014 7:20:36 AM PDT
by
G Larry
(Amnesty imposes SLAVE WAGES on LEGAL immigrants & minorities)
To: Crazieman
7
posted on
10/26/2014 7:22:04 AM PDT
by
Damifino
(The true measure of a man is found in what he would do if he knew no one would ever find out.)
To: Crazieman
Don't forget Iapetus!
8
posted on
10/26/2014 7:23:02 AM PDT
by
Jack Hydrazine
(Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
To: BenLurkin
“Theres another moon out there like this too...how is it they werent destroyed by these impacts?”
Ever try to crack a Jawbreaker when you were a kid? Same density. ;)
9
posted on
10/26/2014 7:24:46 AM PDT
by
Diana in Wisconsin
(I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
To: G Larry
“Mimas” might be a good name for a brand, good idea!
10
posted on
10/26/2014 7:55:07 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
Note: this topic is from .
11
posted on
05/06/2019 10:16:50 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson