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Astronomy Picture of the Day - Crescent Enceladus
NASA ^ | 7 Feb, 2026 | Image Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

Posted on 02/07/2026 10:52:26 AM PST by MtnClimber

Explanation: Peering from the shadows, the Saturn-facing hemisphere of tantalizing inner moon Enceladus poses in this Cassini spacecraft image. North is up in the dramatic scene captured during November 2016 as Cassini's camera was pointed in a nearly sunward direction about 130,000 kilometers from the moon's bright crescent. In fact, the distant world reflects over 90 percent of the sunlight it receives, giving its surface about the same reflectivity as fresh snow. A mere 500 kilometers in diameter, Enceladus is a surprisingly active moon. Data and images collected during Cassini's flybys have revealed water vapor and ice grains spewing from south polar geysers and evidence of an ocean of liquid water hidden beneath the moon's icy crust.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; nasa
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1 posted on 02/07/2026 10:52:26 AM PST by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 02/07/2026 10:52:45 AM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; A Navy Vet; A_perfect_lady; abb; AFB-XYZ; AFPhys; ...
Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

3 posted on 02/07/2026 10:53:26 AM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

I thought it said, "Enchiladus"

4 posted on 02/07/2026 11:07:11 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: MtnClimber

bttt


5 posted on 02/07/2026 11:27:56 AM PST by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: MtnClimber

Drill baby, drill.


6 posted on 02/07/2026 11:40:20 AM PST by NavyShoe
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To: MtnClimber

Wow.


7 posted on 02/07/2026 12:02:18 PM PST by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: MtnClimber

Alas, Cassini, if only you were still there, snapping more wonderful images.


8 posted on 02/07/2026 1:33:27 PM PST by telescope115 (Ad Astra, Ad Deum…)
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To: martin_fierro

Good lord, what a gaping maw….🫣


9 posted on 02/07/2026 1:35:24 PM PST by telescope115 (Ad Astra, Ad Deum…)
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To: MtnClimber

Vapor and ice crystals spewing from an icy Moon geyser? Sounds like a recipe for LIFE...but you’ll need your big winter coat. Year-round. ;)


10 posted on 02/07/2026 2:49:02 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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