Enceladus, the Moon

Enceladus—the 13th moon from Saturn—is a small, icy moon that is the most reflective object in our solar system.[4] It lies in Saturn’s ‘E-Ring’ and has recently been found to have provided some it’s material from the cryo-volcano at it’s south pole.[5]

Volcanism

Saturn’s moon Enceladus is active with volcanoes on it’s south pole spewing out a plume of mostly water vapour. The area this plume emanates from has been named the “Tiger Stripes” and are four, roughly parallel fissures on Enceladus’ surface.[6]

Volcanism like this is known as cryovolcanism and is known to take place on Europa, Triton and Enceladus. Although these bodies should be too small and too far from the Sun to support volcanism, they manage to do so by being heated by tidal strain from the planets they orbit.[7]

Discovery and Exploration

Named after a Greek gigante by it’s discoverer, William Herschel; Enceladus was briefly observed by the Voyager spacecraft and is currently being explored in detail by the Cassini spacecraft.[8]