Monday, April 18, 2005

New Cassini Image: Sister Moons


Today's Daily release from CICLOPS shows both Dione and Tethys in the same narrow angle field of view. From the caption:
Extensive systems of bright fractures carve the surface of Dione (1,118 kilometers, 695 miles across). The double-pronged feature Carthage Linea points toward the crater Turnus at the 9 o’clock position near the terminator, and Palatine Linea runs toward the moon’s bottom limb near the 5 o’clock position.

In contrast, the surface of Tethys (1,071 kilometers, 665 miles across) appears brighter and more heavily cratered. The large crater Penelope is near the eastern limb. The huge rift zone Ithaca Chasma, which is 3 to 5 kilometers (2 to 3 miles) deep and extends for about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from north to south across Tethys, is hidden in shadow just beyond the terminator. For comparison, the Grand Canyon in Arizona is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) deep, and about 450 kilometers (280 miles) long.
This image was taken last month and the resolution on these two moons varies from 9-10 km/pixel.

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