REVIEW 3 major objections 4 minor 86 references
Features in the visible spectra of the Enceladus particle plume and E ring: Potential evidence of organic materials and/or missing sub-micron particles
T0 review · 3 major / 4 minor · reviewed 2026-08-03 · deepseek-v4-flash
Pith's one-line read Visible spectra of Enceladus's plume and E ring show a real change in slope around 0.5 microns, a possible fingerprint of organics or missing sub-micron grains.
desk verdict A credible, cross-instrument detection of a ~0.5 micron slope change in the Enceladus plume and E ring, with honest caveats—but the quantitative organic fractions are still preliminary. read the letter →
The pith
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
The reading
What carries the argument
The key object is the 'UV absorption' — the spectral slope change around 0.5 µm — treated as a diagnostic of grain composition or size. The analysis machinery is Mie-scattering theory applied to tenuous dust viewed at high phase angles, where the signal is dominated by diffraction and the spectrum is a simple sum over single particles; the paper combines this with effective-medium theory to compute spectra for water ice mixed with tholins or hematite and for pure ice with a variable minimum particle size. The central identities carrying the argument are the comparison curves in Figure 3 and Figure 6, which translate a given tholin fraction or size cutoff into a predicted slope change at visi
What would settle it
A re-reduction of the same VIMS visible data with an independently measured spectral-tilt curve, and a comparison of ISS and VIMS after applying a wavelength-dependent calibration correction derived from a spectrally neutral target; if the 0.5-µm slope break vanishes or becomes inconsistent between the two instruments, the central claim is falsified. Alternatively, a direct measurement of the plume's particle size distribution down to ~0.1 µm that shows no cutoff would eliminate the size-deficit explanation, leaving organics as the sole reading and making the claim testable by in-situ data.
Extended reading notes
Core claim
The central claim is that both the Enceladus plume and the E ring exhibit a detectable change in visible spectral slope around 0.5–0.6 µm, at high phase angles where plume grains are seen by forward scattering. This slope change, which the paper calls a 'UV absorption,' is present in ISS filter photometry and in VIMS spectra after correcting for the instrument's spectral tilt, and it matches the feature seen on Saturn's icy moons and rings. The paper's quantitative reading: the plume spectra are consistent with tholin fractions of 1–2% or, equivalently, a size distribution missing grains smaller than 0.2–0.3 µm; the E-ring spectra point to roughly 5% tholin or a minimum grain size near 0.4 µ
Load-bearing premise
The observed slope change is not an instrumental or calibration artifact; the paper itself flags sharp 0.4–0.6 µm features in VIMS surface spectra as likely calibration artifacts, and the plume analysis relies on an empirical spectral-tilt correction, so a wavelength-dependent calibration error of the size already present in the surface data could mimic the claimed signature.
Editorial extensions
If this is right
- If the slope break is real, the plume's visible spectrum becomes a quantitative remote-sensing probe: roughly 1–2% tholin-like organics, consistent with Cassini's dust analyzer results.
- Multi-filter ISS imaging can now be used to compare organic content among individual tiger-stripe sources, and repeated VIMS cubes can track changes with orbital phase and tidal stress.
- The stronger E-ring signal implies that either the E-ring grains are more organic-rich than freshly erupted plume grains or that sub-micron grains are depleted there; distinguishing these would clarify how plume material ages in space.
- Confirmation of the 0.45-µm absorption band would add a second compositional diagnostic, potentially fingerprinting specific organic molecules.
- Because composition and size cutoff produce nearly degenerate visible spectra, observations at multiple phase angles are the predicted way to break the degeneracy.
Reading between the lines
- If the feature holds up under a careful cross-instrument calibration audit, the same analysis could be applied to the full Cassini archive to build a time series of plume organic content, test for correlations with Enceladus's tidal cycle, and map which vents are organic-rich.
- The size-cutoff alternative, though disfavored for the plume, remains a live explanation for the E ring; testing it would require new in-situ or photometric measurements of sub-micron grains, and if it is right, the visible slope break is a direct measure of grain destruction and removal processes.
- The paper's methodology is easily portable: any tenuous dusty environment observed at high phase angles — other icy satellite plumes, cometary dust, or debris disks — could be searched for an analogous 0.5-micron slope break as a first compositional screen.
- The tentative 0.45-µm band, if real, might correspond to nitrogen-bearing organics, a connection the authors do not draw.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper reports a change in spectral slope near 0.5 µm in Cassini ISS and VIMS visible spectra of Enceladus' particle plume and the E ring. The feature is seen in five ISS filters and multiple VIMS sequences, and is interpreted as evidence for either a non-ice (tholin-like or hematite) component in the particles or a deficit of sub-micron particles. Using Mie-theory forward models with published optical constants, the authors estimate that the plume spectra are consistent with ~1–2% tholin volume fraction or a minimum particle radius of 0.2–0.3 µm, while the E ring is consistent with ~5% tholin or a minimum radius near 0.4 µm. The paper also notes a possible ~0.45 µm absorption feature in the VIMS plume spectrum. The analysis is explicitly preliminary, with formal parameter fitting deferred to future work.
Significance. If the slope-change detection is robust, it provides a new remote-sensing diagnostic for plume and E-ring composition and particle size, potentially usable across the Cassini archive and relevant to ongoing assessments of Enceladus' organic inventory. The paper's strengths include the use of two independent instruments, five ISS filters, five VIMS observing sequences, forward calculations from published optical constants, and public release of code and calibrated data. The authors also clearly acknowledge the degeneracy between composition and size-distribution effects. The principal weakness is that the VIMS calibration, particularly the empirical spectral-tilt correction in Eq. (3), is not demonstrated to be accurate enough to support the quantitative conclusions, and the quantitative organics interpretation relies on an in-situ size distribution that may not be representative of the observed epochs.
major comments (3)
- [Sec. 2.1, 3.2 (Eq. 3), Sec. 4] The VIMS plume spectrum depends on the empirical spectral-tilt term 0.0075w in Eq. (3), which shifts the sampled altitude across the VIS band. Section 2.1 states that VIMS surface spectra contain 5% artifacts at 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 µm, exactly the region of the claimed slope change. The paper says the tilt correction was 'verified against an independent spectral tilt correction' but does not show this verification. Moreover, Sec. 4 reports a ~10% ISS/VIMS discrepancy at 0.35 µm for the plume, comparable to the feature depth and to the effect of the inferred 1–2% tholin fraction. Please provide a quantitative test that the slope change is robust to plausible tilt errors—e.g., fit the ISS five-filter data alone to a two-slope model, and show that applying alternative tilt corrections to the VIMS data preserves the feature.
- [Sec. 4 (Dong et al. 2015)] The conclusion that the plume feature is 'most likely' due to 1–2% complex organics rests on rejecting the size-cutoff interpretation using the in-situ size distribution of Dong et al. (2015). Those measurements sample a different epoch and location than the 2005 VIMS and 2010 ISS observations, and the paper does not demonstrate that the plume size distribution is stable enough to rule out a temporary or spatially localized deficit of 0.2–0.3 µm particles. Please either provide evidence of size-distribution stability or soften the conclusion to 'consistent with, but not uniquely requiring, an organic component.'
- [Sec. 4, Fig. 6] The quantitative statements 'tholin fractions around 1–2%' and 'a tholin fraction of around 5%' are based on a small set of forward models with a fixed power-law index (-2.5), a fixed maximum size (5.1 µm), and specific tholin optical constants. These models are not formal fits, as the paper acknowledges, yet the abstract and Sec. 4 present the percentages as if they have some quantitative standing. Please either perform a proper fit with confidence intervals over the relevant parameter space or explicitly label these values as illustrative order-of-magnitude estimates with no formal uncertainty.
minor comments (4)
- [Sec. 4] The ~10% dip at 0.45 µm in the VIMS plume spectrum is presented as a hint of an absorption band. The ISS BL1 filter at 0.455 µm agrees with VIMS to within a few percent, so the dip is not independently corroborated; the known 5% surface artifacts at adjacent wavelengths could plausibly contribute. Please either corroborate with independent data or remove the 'hints' from the abstract.
- [General] Typos and formatting: 'mircons' in Figure 3, 'Solar Polar Terrain' should be 'South Polar Terrain' in Sec. 2.1, and 'detangle' should be 'disentangle' in Sec. 4.
- [Tables 1 and 2] Table 1 column header 'W Long.' is awkward; suggest 'West Longitude' or a defined abbreviation. In Table 2, the calibration uncertainties are fractional but the column header could be made explicit (e.g., 'Fractional Cal. Unc.').
- [Figure 3 vs. Figure 6] The maximum particle radius is stated as 5 µm in the Figure 3 caption and 5.1 µm in the Figure 6 caption and text; unify the value.
Circularity Check
No circularity found; the visible spectral feature is derived from independent ISS/VIMS observations and compared to forward Mie models, not to fitted outputs.
full rationale
The paper's central claim — a change in spectral slope near 0.5–0.6 μm in the Enceladus plume and E ring — rests on direct measurements from two independent instruments (ISS and VIMS), with the model comparison explicitly labeled as sample calculations rather than fits. The figure caption states: 'these model spectra are not formal fits to the observations, and are instead sample calculations to highlight trends with composition and particle size cut-offs.' The models are forward Mie-theory computations using published optical constants (Warren & Brandt 2008; Baratta et al. 2015; Querry 1985) and a fixed power-law size index of −2.5 taken from prior near-infrared analyses. No equation reduces an output quantity to an input quantity, and no parameter is fitted to the observed visible spectra and then re-presented as a prediction. Self-citations to Hedman et al. (2009, 2013) set the adopted size-distribution index and the Z altitude coordinate for VIMS plume extraction; these are independent data-reduction choices from earlier infrared work, not derived from the visible slope feature being claimed. The empirical 0.0075w spectral-tilt correction in Eq. 3 is a calibration term, not a fitted proxy for the target feature. Concerns that residual VIMS calibration artifacts or the ISS/VIMS ~10% short-wavelength discrepancy could mimic the feature are important validity risks, but they are not instances of circular derivation: the comparison remains external to the model inputs. The paper also openly states that a unique decomposition into composition versus size-distribution effects is not possible from these data alone, further showing the interpretation is not forced by construction.
Assumptions & free parameters
free parameters (6)
- Power-law size-distribution index =
-2.5
- Minimum particle radius (baseline) =
0.1 µm baseline; 0.2–0.5 µm grid
- Maximum particle radius =
5.1 µm (5 µm in Fig. 3)
- Tholin volume fraction =
1–2% (plume), ~5% (E ring), by eye
- Hematite volume fraction =
0.1–2% (model grid)
- VIMS-VIS spectral tilt factor =
0.0075 per wavelength channel
assumptions (7)
- domain assumption Single scattering dominates in the plume and E ring; multiple scattering is negligible
- domain assumption Plume/E-ring particles are spheres whose scattering is described by Mie theory with published optical constants
- domain assumption Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory applies to ice/tholin and ice/hematite mixtures
- domain assumption RC19 VIMS and PDS ISS calibrations are correct to the stated fractional uncertainties (3–6%)
- domain assumption The plume size distribution lacks a sharp 0.2–0.3 µm minimum-size cutoff, per in-situ analyses
- domain assumption The UV absorption on Saturnian moon surfaces is caused by organics or iron compounds, and the same absorber is present in plume particles
- domain assumption Plume brightness decreases quasi-linearly with Z = sqrt(z/(z+250 km))
Cite this review
Pith. "Pith review of Features in the visible spectra of the Enceladus particle plume and E ring: Potential evidence of organic materials and/or missing sub-micron particles." pith.science (2026). https://pith.science/paper/CZ2CWLBV
@misc{pith2026260715940,
author = {Pith},
title = {Pith review of: Features in the visible spectra of the Enceladus particle plume and E ring: Potential evidence of organic materials and/or missing sub-micron particles},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://pith.science/paper/CZ2CWLBV}},
note = {Machine review of arXiv:2607.15940}
}
read the original abstract
Visible spectra of the Enceladus particle plume and E ring contain evidence for a change in spectral slope around 0.5 micron. This feature can be seen in data obtained by both the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) onboard the Cassini Spacecraft, and is consistent with the slope change seen in the surface spectra of Saturn's rings and moons that has been attributed to either organics or iron compounds. The observed spectral features in the plume and E ring could represent either a non-ice contaminant in the plume particles or a deficit of sub-micron particles, so this spectral feature provides a new tool for assessing variations in the plume particle's composition and/or size distribution with time and space. The observed strength of this feature is consistent with the plume particles having an organic fraction similar to that measured by in-situ measurements, so there are good reasons to expect that this feature can be used to quantify the organic content of the plume particles. There are also hints of a potential absorption band around 0.45 micron in these spectra. If this feature can be confirmed, it could provide further constraints on the plume particles' composition.
Figures
Figures from the paper (3 more)
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
Baratta2015 APACrefauthors Baratta , G A. , Chaput , D. , Cottin , H. , Fernandez Cascales , L. , Palumbo , M E. \ Strazzulla , G. APACrefauthors \ 2015 12 . Organic samples produced by ion bombardment of ices for the EXPOSE-R2 mission on the International Space Station Organic samples produced by ion bombardment of ices for the EXPOSE-R2 mission on the I...
-
[2]
\ Huffman , D R
BH1983 APACrefauthors Bohren , C F. \ Huffman , D R. APACrefauthors \ 1983 . Absorption and scattering of light by small particles Absorption and scattering of light by small particles
1983
-
[3]
Brown2004 APACrefauthors Brown , R H. , Baines , K H. , Bellucci , G. , Bibring , J P. , Buratti , B J. , Capaccioni , F. Sotin , C. APACrefauthors \ 2004 12 . The Cassini Visual And Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (Vims) Investigation The Cassini Visual And Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (Vims) Investigation . SSR 115 111-168 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1007/s11214...
-
[4]
Brown2006 APACrefauthors Brown , R H. , Clark , R N. , Buratti , B J. , Cruikshank , D P. , Barnes , J W. , Mastrapa , R M E. Sotin , C. APACrefauthors \ 2006 03 . Composition and Physical Properties of Enceladus' Surface Composition and Physical Properties of Enceladus' Surface . Science 311 5766 1425-1428 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1126/science.1121031 APACrefDOI
-
[5]
Buratti1998 APACrefauthors Buratti , B J. , Mosher , J A. , Nicholson , P D. , McGhee , C A. \ French , R G. APACrefauthors \ 1998 12 . Near-Infrared Photometry of the Saturnian Satellites during Ring Plane Crossing Near-Infrared Photometry of the Saturnian Satellites during Ring Plane Crossing . Icarus 136 2 223-231 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1006/icar.1998.602...
arXiv 1998
-
[6]
Ciarniello2024 APACrefauthors Ciarniello , M. , Filacchione , G. , Nicholson , P D. , Hedman , M M. , Charnoz , S. , Cuzzi , J N. Waite , J H. APACrefauthors \ 2024 10 . The Origin and Composition of Saturn's Ring Moons The Origin and Composition of Saturn's Ring Moons . Space Science Reviews 220 7 72 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1007/s11214-024-01103-z APACrefDOI
-
[7]
, Brown , R H
RC19 APACrefauthors Clark , R N. , Brown , R H. , Lytle , D M. \ M., H M. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . The VIMS Wavelength and Radiometric Calibration 19, Final Report The vims wavelength and radiometric calibration 19, final report . NASA Planetary Data System, The Planetary Atmospheres Node . APACrefURL http://atmos.nmsu.edu/data_and_services/atmospheres_dat...
2018
-
[8]
Clark2012 APACrefauthors Clark , R N. , Cruikshank , D P. , Jaumann , R. , Brown , R H. , Stephan , K. , Dalle Ore , C M. Nicholson , P D. APACrefauthors \ 2012 04 . The surface composition of Iapetus: Mapping results from Cassini VIMS The surface composition of Iapetus: Mapping results from Cassini VIMS . Icarus 218 2 831-860 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1016/j.i...
Show all 86 references
-
[9]
\ Goodman , J C
Collins2007 APACrefauthors Collins , G C. \ Goodman , J C. APACrefauthors \ 2007 07 . Enceladus' south polar sea Enceladus' south polar sea . Icarus 189 72-82 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.01.010 APACrefDOI
2007 doi
-
[10]
, Clark , R
Cuzzi2009 APACrefauthors Cuzzi , J. , Clark , R. , Filacchione , G. , French , R. , Johnson , R. , Marouf , E. \ Spilker , L. APACrefauthors \ 2009 . Ring Particle Composition and Size Distribution Ring Particle Composition and Size Distribution . M K. Dougherty , L W. Esposit...
2009 doi
-
[11]
, Martin , S C
dePater2004 APACrefauthors de Pater , I. , Martin , S C. \ Showalter , M R. APACrefauthors \ 2004 12 . Keck near-infrared observations of Saturn's E and G rings during Earth's ring plane crossing in August 1995 Keck near-infrared observations of Saturn's E and G rings during E...
2004 doi
-
[12]
, Hedman , M M
Dhingra2017 APACrefauthors Dhingra , D. , Hedman , M M. , Clark , R N. \ Nicholson , P D. APACrefauthors \ 2017 08 . Spatially resolved near infrared observations of Enceladus' tiger stripe eruptions from Cassini VIMS Spatially resolved near infrared observations of Enceladus'...
2017 doi
-
[13]
, Hill , T W
Dong2015 APACrefauthors Dong , Y. , Hill , T W. \ Ye , S Y. APACrefauthors \ 2015 02 . Characteristics of ice grains in the Enceladus plume from Cassini observations Characteristics of ice grains in the Enceladus plume from Cassini observations . Journal of Geophysical Researc...
2015 doi
-
[14]
, Schmidt , J
Ershova2024 APACrefauthors Ershova , A. , Schmidt , J. , Postberg , F. , Khawaja , N. , N \"o lle , L. , Srama , R. Southworth , B. APACrefauthors \ 2024 09 . Modeling the Enceladus dust plume based on in situ measurements performed with the Cassini Cosmic Dust Analyzer Modeli...
2024 doi
-
[15]
, Capaccioni , F
Filacchione2012 APACrefauthors Filacchione , G. , Capaccioni , F. , Ciarniello , M. , Clark , R N. , Cuzzi , J N. , Nicholson , P D. Flamini , E. APACrefauthors \ 2012 08 . Saturn's icy satellites and rings investigated by Cassini-VIMS: III - Radial compositional variability S...
2012 doi
-
[16]
, Capaccioni , F
Filacchione2013 APACrefauthors Filacchione , G. , Capaccioni , F. , Clark , R N. , Nicholson , P D. , Cruikshank , D P. , Cuzzi , J N. Flamini , E. APACrefauthors \ 2013 04 . The Radial Distribution of Water Ice and Chromophores across Saturn's System The Radial Distribution o...
2013 doi
-
[17]
, Capaccioni , F
Filacchione2007 APACrefauthors Filacchione , G. , Capaccioni , F. , McCord , T B. , Coradini , A. , Cerroni , P. , Bellucci , G. Newman , S. APACrefauthors \ 2007 01 . Saturn's icy satellites investigated by Cassini-VIMS. I. Full-disk properties: 350 5100 nm reflectance spectr...
2007 doi
-
[18]
, Kopparla , P
Gao2016 APACrefauthors Gao , P. , Kopparla , P. , Zhang , X. \ Ingersoll , A P. APACrefauthors \ 2016 01 . Aggregate particles in the plumes of Enceladus Aggregate particles in the plumes of Enceladus . Icarus 264 227-238 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2015.09.030 APACrefDOI
2016 doi
-
[19]
, Baross , J A
Glein2015 APACrefauthors Glein , C R. , Baross , J A. \ Waite , J H. APACrefauthors \ 2015 08 . The pH of Enceladus' ocean The pH of Enceladus' ocean . Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 162 202-219 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1016/j.gca.2015.04.017 APACrefDOI
2015 doi
-
[20]
, Postberg , F
Glein2018 APACrefauthors Glein , C R. , Postberg , F. \ Vance , S D. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . The Geochemistry of Enceladus: Composition and Controls The Geochemistry of Enceladus: Composition and Controls . P M. Schenk , R N. Clark , C J A. Howett , A J. Verbiscer \ J H. Waite...
2018 doi
-
[21]
, Buratti , B J
Goguen2013 APACrefauthors Goguen , J D. , Buratti , B J. , Brown , R H. , Clark , R N. , Nicholson , P D. , Hedman , M M. Blackburn , D G. APACrefauthors \ 2013 09 . The temperature and width of an active fissure on Enceladus measured with Cassini VIMS during the 14 April 2012...
2013 doi
-
[22]
, Esposito , L
Hansen2006 APACrefauthors Hansen , C J. , Esposito , L. , Stewart , A I F. , Colwell , J. , Hendrix , A. , Pryor , W. West , R. APACrefauthors \ 2006 03 . Enceladus' Water Vapor Plume Enceladus' Water Vapor Plume . Science 311 1422-1425 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1126/science.1121254...
2006 doi
-
[23]
APACrefauthors \ 2026 07
Hedman26 APACrefauthors Hedman , M M. APACrefauthors \ 2026 07 . Enceladus Plume Color: Enceladus Plume E Ring Spectral Code Enceladus Plume Color: Enceladus Plume E Ring Spectral Code . APACrefDOI doi:10.5281/zenodo.21402120 APACrefDOI
2026 doi
-
[24]
, Dhingra , D
Hedman2018 APACrefauthors Hedman , M M. , Dhingra , D. , Nicholson , P D. , Hansen , C J. , Portyankina , G. , Ye , S. \ Dong , Y. APACrefauthors \ 2018 05 . Spatial variations in the dust-to-gas ratio of Enceladus' plume Spatial variations in the dust-to-gas ratio of Enceladu...
2018 doi
-
[25]
, Gosmeyer , C M
Hedman2013 APACrefauthors Hedman , M M. , Gosmeyer , C M. , Nicholson , P D. , Sotin , C. , Brown , R H. , Clark , R N. Showalter , M R. APACrefauthors \ 2013 08 . An observed correlation between plume activity and tidal stresses on Enceladus An observed correlation between pl...
2013 doi
-
[26]
, Helfenstein , P
Hedman2020 APACrefauthors Hedman , M M. , Helfenstein , P. , Chancia , R O. , Thomas , P. , Roussos , E. , Paranicas , C. \ Verbiscer , A J. APACrefauthors \ 2020 04 . Photometric Analyses of Saturn's Small Moons: Aegaeon, Methone, and Pallene Are Dark; Helene and Calypso Are ...
2020 doi
-
[27]
, Nicholson , P D
Hedman2009 APACrefauthors Hedman , M M. , Nicholson , P D. , Showalter , M R. , Brown , R H. , Buratti , B J. \ Clark , R N. APACrefauthors \ 2009 03 . Spectral Observations of the Enceladus Plume with Cassini-Vims Spectral Observations of the Enceladus Plume with Cassini-Vims...
2009 doi
-
[28]
, Buratti , B J
Hendrix2018 APACrefauthors Hendrix , A R. , Buratti , B J. , Cruikshank , D P. , Clark , R N. , Scipioni , F. \ Howett , C J A. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . Surface Composition of Saturn's Icy Moons Surface Composition of Saturn's Icy Moons . P M. Schenk , R N. Clark , C J A. Howet...
2018 doi
-
[29]
, Filacchione , G
Hendrix2018b APACrefauthors Hendrix , A R. , Filacchione , G. , Paranicas , C. , Schenk , P. \ Scipioni , F. APACrefauthors \ 2018 01 . Icy Saturnian satellites: Disk-integrated UV-IR characteristics and links to exogenic processes Icy Saturnian satellites: Disk-integrated UV-...
2018 doi
-
[30]
, Postberg , F
Hsu2015 APACrefauthors Hsu , H W. , Postberg , F. , Sekine , Y. , Shibuya , T. , Kempf , S. , Hor \'a nyi , M. Srama , R. APACrefauthors \ 2015 03 . Ongoing hydrothermal activities within Enceladus Ongoing hydrothermal activities within Enceladus . Nature 519 207-210 . APACref...
2015 doi
-
[31]
, Stevenson , D J
Iess2014 APACrefauthors Iess , L. , Stevenson , D J. , Parisi , M. , Hemingway , D. , Jacobson , R A. , Lunine , J I. Tortora , P. APACrefauthors \ 2014 04 . The Gravity Field and Interior Structure of Enceladus The Gravity Field and Interior Structure of Enceladus . Science 3...
2014 doi
-
[32]
\ Ewald , S P
Ingersoll2011 APACrefauthors Ingersoll , A P. \ Ewald , S P. APACrefauthors \ 2011 12 . Total particulate mass in Enceladus plumes and mass of Saturn's E ring inferred from Cassini ISS images Total particulate mass in Enceladus plumes and mass of Saturn's E ring inferred from ...
2011 doi
-
[33]
\ Ewald , S P
Ingersoll2017 APACrefauthors Ingersoll , A P. \ Ewald , S P. APACrefauthors \ 2017 01 . Decadal timescale variability of the Enceladus plumes inferred from Cassini images Decadal timescale variability of the Enceladus plumes inferred from Cassini images . Icarus 282 260-275 . ...
2017 doi
-
[34]
, Ewald , S P
Ingersoll2020 APACrefauthors Ingersoll , A P. , Ewald , S P. \ Trumbo , S K. APACrefauthors \ 2020 07 . Time variability of the Enceladus plumes: Orbital periods, decadal periods, and aperiodic change Time variability of the Enceladus plumes: Orbital periods, decadal periods, ...
2020 doi
-
[35]
, Stephan , K
Jaumann2008 APACrefauthors Jaumann , R. , Stephan , K. , Hansen , G B. , Clark , R N. , Buratti , B J. , Brown , R H. Wagner , R. APACrefauthors \ 2008 02 . Distribution of icy particles across Enceladus' surface as derived from Cassini-VIMS measurements Distribution of icy pa...
2008 doi
-
[36]
, Hor \'a nyi , M
Juhasz2007 APACrefauthors Juh \'a sz , A. , Hor \'a nyi , M. \ Morfill , G E. APACrefauthors \ 2007 05 . Signatures of Enceladus in Saturn's E ring Signatures of Enceladus in Saturn's E ring . GRL 34 9 L09104 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1029/2006GL029120 APACrefDOI
2007 doi
-
[37]
, Hor \'a nyi , M
Kempf2018 APACrefauthors Kempf , S. , Hor \'a nyi , M. , Hsu , H W. , Hill , T W. , Juh \'a sz , A. \ Smith , H T. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . Saturn's Diffuse E Ring and Its Connection with Enceladus Saturn's Diffuse E Ring and Its Connection with Enceladus . P M. Schenk , R N. C...
2018 doi
-
[38]
, Schmidt , J
Kempf2010 APACrefauthors Kempf , S. , Schmidt , J. , Srama , R. , Postberg , F. , Spahn , F. \ Horanyi , M. APACrefauthors \ 2010 12 . Enceladus Dust Production - New Insights from Cassini Enceladus Dust Production - New Insights from Cassini . AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts A1562
2010
-
[39]
, Sagan , C
Khare1984 APACrefauthors Khare , B N. , Sagan , C. , Arakawa , E T. , Suits , F. , Callcott , T A. \ Williams , M W. APACrefauthors \ 1984 10 . Optical constants of organic tholins produced in a simulated Titanian atmosphere: From soft x-ray to microwave frequencies Optical co...
1984 doi
-
[40]
, Postberg , F
Khawaja2025 APACrefauthors Khawaja , N. , Postberg , F. , O'Sullivan , T R. , Napoleoni , M. , Kempf , S. , Klenner , F. Srama , R. APACrefauthors \ 2025 10 . Detection of organic compounds in freshly ejected ice grains from Enceladus's ocean Detection of organic compounds in ...
2025 doi
-
[41]
, Postberg , F
Khawaja2017 APACrefauthors Khawaja , N. , Postberg , F. \ Schmidt , J. APACrefauthors \ 2017 03 . The Compositional Profile of the Enceladian Ice Plume from the Latest Cassini Flybys The Compositional Profile of the Enceladian Ice Plume from the Latest Cassini Flybys . 48th An...
2017
-
[42]
, West , R
Knowles2020 APACrefauthors Knowles , B. , West , R. , Helfenstein , P. , Verbiscer , A. , Wilson , D. \ Porco , C. APACrefauthors \ 2020 06 . End-of-mission calibration of the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem End-of-mission calibration of the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem...
2020
-
[43]
APACrefauthors \ 1984 01
Larson1984 APACrefauthors Larson , S. APACrefauthors \ 1984 01 . Summary of Optical Ground-Based E Ring Observations at the University of Arizona Summary of Optical Ground-Based E Ring Observations at the University of Arizona . A. Brahic \ ( ), Planetary Rings Planetary rings...
1984
-
[44]
, Neveu , M
MacKenzie2022 APACrefauthors MacKenzie , S M. , Neveu , M. , Davila , A F. , Lunine , J I. , Cable , M L. , Phillips-Lander , C M. Heldmann , J. APACrefauthors \ 2022 06 . Science Objectives for Flagship-Class Mission Concepts for the Search for Evidence of Life at Enceladus S...
2022
-
[45]
, Coradini , A
McCord2004 APACrefauthors McCord , T B. , Coradini , A. , Hibbitts , C A. , Capaccioni , F. , Hansen , G B. , Filacchione , G. Sotin , C. APACrefauthors \ 2004 11 . Cassini VIMS observations of the Galilean satellites including the VIMS calibration procedure Cassini VIMS obser...
2004 doi
-
[46]
APACrefauthors \ 2015 04
McKinnon2015 APACrefauthors McKinnon , W B. APACrefauthors \ 2015 04 . Effect of Enceladus's rapid synchronous spin on interpretation of Cassini gravity Effect of Enceladus's rapid synchronous spin on interpretation of Cassini gravity . GRL 42 2137-2143 . APACrefDOI doi:10.100...
2015 doi
-
[47]
, Showalter , M R
Nicholson1996 APACrefauthors Nicholson , P D. , Showalter , M R. , Dones , L. , French , R G. , Larson , S M. , Lissauer , J J. Danielson , G E. APACrefauthors \ 1996 04 . Observations of Saturn's Ring-Plane Crossings in August and November 1995 Observations of Saturn's Ring-P...
1996 doi
-
[48]
, Postberg , F
Nolle2024 APACrefauthors N \"o lle , L. , Postberg , F. , Schmidt , J. , Klenner , F. , Khawaja , N. , Hillier , J. Srama , R. APACrefauthors \ 2024 01 . Radial compositional profile of Saturn's E ring indicates substantial space weathering effects Radial compositional profile...
2024 doi
-
[49]
\ Kattenhorn , S A
Patthoff2011 APACrefauthors Patthoff , D A. \ Kattenhorn , S A. APACrefauthors \ 2011 09 . A fracture history on Enceladus provides evidence for a global ocean A fracture history on Enceladus provides evidence for a global ocean . GRL 38 18201 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1029/2011GL04...
2011 doi
-
[50]
\ Cuzzi , J N
PollackCuzzi1980 APACrefauthors Pollack , J B. \ Cuzzi , J N. APACrefauthors \ 1980 04 . Scattering by nonspherical particles of size comparable to wavelength - A new semi-empirical theory and its application to tropospheric aerosols Scattering by nonspherical particles of siz...
1980 doi
-
[51]
, DiNino , D
Porco2014 APACrefauthors Porco , C. , DiNino , D. \ Nimmo , F. APACrefauthors \ 2014 09 . How the Geysers, Tidal Stresses, and Thermal Emission across the South Polar Terrain of Enceladus are Related How the Geysers, Tidal Stresses, and Thermal Emission across the South Polar ...
2014 doi
-
[52]
, Dones , L
Porco2017 APACrefauthors Porco , C C. , Dones , L. \ Mitchell , C. APACrefauthors \ 2017 09 . Could It Be Snowing Microbes on Enceladus? Assessing Conditions in Its Plume and Implications for Future Missions Could It Be Snowing Microbes on Enceladus? Assessing Conditions in It...
2017
-
[53]
, Helfenstein , P
Porco2006 APACrefauthors Porco , C C. , Helfenstein , P. , Thomas , P C. , Ingersoll , A P. , Wisdom , J. , West , R. Squyres , S. APACrefauthors \ 2006 03 . Cassini Observes the Active South Pole of Enceladus Cassini Observes the Active South Pole of Enceladus . Science 311 1...
2006 doi
-
[54]
, West , R A
Porco2004 APACrefauthors Porco , C C. , West , R A. , Squyres , S. , McEwen , A. , Thomas , P. , Murray , C D. Owen , W. APACrefauthors \ 2004 12 . Cassini Imaging Science: Instrument Characteristics And Anticipated Scientific Investigations At Saturn Cassini Imaging Science: ...
2004 doi
-
[55]
, Clark , R N
Postberg2018b APACrefauthors Postberg , F. , Clark , R N. , Hansen , C J. , Coates , A J. , Dalle Ore , C M. , Scipioni , F. Waite , J H. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . Plume and Surface Composition of Enceladus Plume and Surface Composition of Enceladus . P M. Schenk , R N. Clark , ...
2018 doi
-
[56]
, Kempf , S
Postberg2008 APACrefauthors Postberg , F. , Kempf , S. , Hillier , J K. , Srama , R. , Green , S F. , McBride , N. \ Gr \"u n , E. APACrefauthors \ 2008 02 . The E-ring in the vicinity of Enceladus. II. Probing the moon's interior-- The composition of E-ring particles The E-ri...
2008 doi
-
[57]
, Khawaja , N
Postberg2018 APACrefauthors Postberg , F. , Khawaja , N. , Abel , B. , Choblet , G. , Glein , C R. , Gudipati , M S. Waite , J H. APACrefauthors \ 2018 06 . Macromolecular organic compound s from the depths of Enceladus Macromolecular organic compound s from the depths of Ence...
2018 doi
-
[58]
, Schmidt , J
Postberg2011 APACrefauthors Postberg , F. , Schmidt , J. , Hillier , J. , Kempf , S. \ Srama , R. APACrefauthors \ 2011 06 . A salt-water reservoir as the source of a compositionally stratified plume on Enceladus A salt-water reservoir as the source of a compositionally strati...
2011 doi
-
[59]
, Sekine , Y
Postberg2023 APACrefauthors Postberg , F. , Sekine , Y. , Klenner , F. , Glein , C R. , Zou , Z. , Abel , B. Tan , S. APACrefauthors \ 2023 06 . Detection of phosphates originating from Enceladus's ocean Detection of phosphates originating from Enceladus's ocean . Nature 618 7...
2023 doi
-
[60]
APACrefauthors \ 1985 06
Querry1985 APACrefauthors Querry , M R. APACrefauthors \ 1985 06 . Optical constants . Optical constants . Contractor Report, Sep. 1982 - May 1984 Missouri Univ., Kansas City
1985
-
[61]
, Flandes , A
Ramirez2024 APACrefauthors Ram \' rez-Caba \ n as , A K. , Flandes , A. \ Mir \'o n-Enr \' quez , P E. APACrefauthors \ 2024 07 . Exploring the general chemistry of the core and ocean of Enceladus Exploring the general chemistry of the core and ocean of Enceladus . Advances in...
2024 doi
-
[62]
, Hamilton , D P
Schenk2011 APACrefauthors Schenk , P. , Hamilton , D P. , Johnson , R E. , McKinnon , W B. , Paranicas , C. , Schmidt , J. \ Showalter , M R. APACrefauthors \ 2011 01 . Plasma, plumes and rings: Saturn system dynamics as recorded in global color patterns on its midsize icy sat...
2011 doi
-
[63]
, Clark , R N
Schenk2018 APACrefauthors Schenk , P M. , Clark , R N. , Howett , C J A. , Verbiscer , A J. \ Waite , J H. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . Enceladus and the Icy Moons of Saturn Enceladus and the Icy Moons of Saturn . APACrefDOI doi:10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816537075 APACrefDOI
2018 doi
-
[64]
, Hedman , M M
Sharma2023 APACrefauthors Sharma , H. , Hedman , M M. \ Vahidinia , S. APACrefauthors \ 2023 06 . New Insights into Variations in Enceladus Plume Particle Launch Velocities from Cassini-VIMS Spectral Data New Insights into Variations in Enceladus Plume Particle Launch Velociti...
2023 doi
-
[65]
, Cuzzi , J N
Showalter1991 APACrefauthors Showalter , M R. , Cuzzi , J N. \ Larson , S M. APACrefauthors \ 1991 12 . Structure and particle properties of Saturn's E Ring Structure and particle properties of Saturn's E Ring . Icarus 94 451-473 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1016/0019-1035(91)90241-K A...
1991 doi
-
[66]
, Kempf , S
Southworth2019 APACrefauthors Southworth , B S. , Kempf , S. \ Spitale , J. APACrefauthors \ 2019 02 . Surface deposition of the Enceladus plume and the zenith angle of emissions Surface deposition of the Enceladus plume and the zenith angle of emissions . Icarus 319 33-42 . A...
2019 doi
-
[67]
, B e hounkov \'a , M
Soucek2024 APACrefauthors Sou c ek , O. , B e hounkov \'a , M. , Lanzend \"o rfer , M. , Tobie , G. \ Choblet , G. APACrefauthors \ 2024 12 . Variations in plume activity reveal the dynamics of water-filled faults on Enceladus Variations in plume activity reveal the dynamics o...
2024 doi
-
[68]
, Barr , A C
Spencer2009 APACrefauthors Spencer , J R. , Barr , A C. , Esposito , L W. , Helfenstein , P. , Ingersoll , A P. , Jaumann , R. Waite , J H. APACrefauthors \ 2009 . Enceladus: An Active Cryovolcanic Satellite Enceladus: An Active Cryovolcanic Satellite . M K. Dougherty , L W. E...
2009 doi
-
[69]
\ Nimmo , F
Spencer2013 APACrefauthors Spencer , J R. \ Nimmo , F. APACrefauthors \ 2013 05 . Enceladus: An Active Ice World in the Saturn System Enceladus: An Active Ice World in the Saturn System . Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 41 693-717 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1146/annurev...
2013 doi
-
[70]
, Pearl , J C
Spencer2006 APACrefauthors Spencer , J R. , Pearl , J C. , Segura , M. , Flasar , F M. , Mamoutkine , A. , Romani , P. Lopes , R M C. APACrefauthors \ 2006 03 . Cassini Encounters Enceladus: Background and the Discovery of a South Polar Hot Spot Cassini Encounters Enceladus: B...
2006 doi
-
[71]
, Hurford , T A
Spitale2015 APACrefauthors Spitale , J N. , Hurford , T A. , Rhoden , A R. , Berkson , E E. \ Platts , S S. APACrefauthors \ 2015 05 . Curtain eruptions from Enceladus' south-polar terrain Curtain eruptions from Enceladus' south-polar terrain . Nature 521 57-60 . APACrefDOI do...
2015 doi
-
[72]
\ Porco , C C
Spitale2007 APACrefauthors Spitale , J N. \ Porco , C C. APACrefauthors \ 2007 10 . Association of the jets of Enceladus with the warmest regions on its south-polar fractures Association of the jets of Enceladus with the warmest regions on its south-polar fractures . Nature 44...
2007 doi
-
[73]
, Tigges , M D
Spitale2025 APACrefauthors Spitale , J N. , Tigges , M D. , Berne , A. , Rhoden , A. , Hurford , T A. \ Webster , K D. APACrefauthors \ 2025 03 . Curtain-based Maps of Eruptive Activity in Enceladus's South-polar Terrain at 15 Cassini Epochs Curtain-based Maps of Eruptive Acti...
2025 doi
-
[74]
APACrefauthors \ 2025 02
Sumlin2025 APACrefauthors Sumlin , B J. APACrefauthors \ 2025 02 . PyMieScatt: Forward and inverse Mie solving routines . PyMieScatt: Forward and inverse Mie solving routines . Astrophysics Source Code Library, record ascl:2502.011
2025
-
[75]
, Tajeddine , R
Thomas2016 APACrefauthors Thomas , P C. , Tajeddine , R. , Tiscareno , M S. , Burns , J A. , Joseph , J. , Loredo , T J. Porco , C. APACrefauthors \ 2016 01 . Enceladus's measured physical libration requires a global subsurface ocean Enceladus's measured physical libration req...
2016 doi
-
[76]
, Tiscareno , M S
Thomas2018 APACrefauthors Thomas , P C. , Tiscareno , M S. \ Helfenstein , P. APACrefauthors \ 2018 . The Inner Small Satellites of Saturn, and Hyperion The Inner Small Satellites of Saturn, and Hyperion . P M. Schenk , R N. Clark , C J A. Howett , A J. Verbiscer \ J H. Waite ...
2018 doi
-
[77]
, C adek , O
Tobie2008 APACrefauthors Tobie , G. , C adek , O. \ Sotin , C. APACrefauthors \ 2008 08 . Solid tidal friction above a liquid water reservoir as the origin of the south pole hotspot on Enceladus Solid tidal friction above a liquid water reservoir as the origin of the south pol...
2008 doi
-
[78]
, French , R
Verbiscer2007 APACrefauthors Verbiscer , A. , French , R. , Showalter , M. \ Helfenstein , P. APACrefauthors \ 2007 02 . Enceladus: Cosmic Graffiti Artist Caught in the Act Enceladus: Cosmic Graffiti Artist Caught in the Act . Science 315 5813 815 . APACrefDOI doi:10.1126/scie...
2007 doi
-
[79]
, Combi , M R
Waite2006 APACrefauthors Waite , J H. , Combi , M R. , Ip , W H. , Cravens , T E. , McNutt , R L. , Kasprzak , W. Tseng , W L. APACrefauthors \ 2006 03 . Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer: Enceladus Plume Composition and Structure Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrome...
2006 doi
-
[80]
, Glein , C R
Waite2017 APACrefauthors Waite , J H. , Glein , C R. , Perryman , R S. , Teolis , B D. , Magee , B A. , Miller , G. Bolton , S J. APACrefauthors \ 2017 04 . Cassini finds molecular hydrogen in the Enceladus plume: Evidence for hydrothermal processes Cassini finds molecular hyd...
2017 doi
-
[81]
, Lewis , W S
Waite2009 APACrefauthors Waite , J H., Jr. , Lewis , W S. , Magee , B A. , Lunine , J I. , McKinnon , W B. , Glein , C R. Ip , W H. APACrefauthors \ 2009 07 . Liquid water on Enceladus from observations of ammonia and ^ 40 Ar in the plume Liquid water on Enceladus from observa...
2009 doi
-
[82]
\ Brandt , R E
Warren2008 APACrefauthors Warren , S G. \ Brandt , R E. APACrefauthors \ 2008 07 . Optical constants of ice from the ultraviolet to the microwave: A revised compilation Optical constants of ice from the ultraviolet to the microwave: A revised compilation . Journal of Geophysic...
2008 doi
-
[83]
, Knowles , B
West2010 APACrefauthors West , R. , Knowles , B. , Birath , E. , Charnoz , S. , Di Nino , D. , Hedman , M. Wilson , D. APACrefauthors \ 2010 09 . In-flight calibration of the Cassini imaging science sub-system cameras In-flight calibration of the Cassini imaging science sub-sy...
2010 doi
-
[84]
, Gurnett , D A
Ye2016 APACrefauthors Ye , S Y. , Gurnett , D A. \ Kurth , W S. APACrefauthors \ 2016 11 . In-situ measurements of Saturn's dusty rings based on dust impact signals detected by Cassini RPWS In-situ measurements of Saturn's dusty rings based on dust impact signals detected by C...
2016 doi
-
[85]
, Gurnett , D A
Ye2014 APACrefauthors Ye , S Y. , Gurnett , D A. , Kurth , W S. , Averkamp , T F. , Kempf , S. , Hsu , H W. Gr \"u n , E. APACrefauthors \ 2014 08 . Properties of dust particles near Saturn inferred from voltage pulses induced by dust impacts on Cassini spacecraft Properties o...
2014 doi
-
[86]
, Kurth , W S
Ye2018 APACrefauthors Ye , S Y. , Kurth , W S. , Hospodarsky , G B. , Persoon , A M. , Gurnett , D A. , Morooka , M. Srama , R. APACrefauthors \ 2018 06 . Cassini RPWS Dust Observation Near the Janus/Epimetheus Orbit Cassini RPWS Dust Observation Near the Janus/Epimetheus Orbi...
2018 doi
Reviewed August 3, 2026 · model on record in the stance chip above.
Discussion (0). Continue with ORCID to comment.