ESA Plans to Study Enceladus' Ice Thickness

Oxford, Southwest Research Institute, and Planetary Science Institute found heat flow at Enceladus' north pole.
Cassini's 2005 and 2015 data showed tidal heating from Saturn's gravity.
Infrared analysis showed north pole 7 K warmer than models, 46 mW/m² heat flow, 35 GW conductive loss.
Total heat loss of 54 GW aligns with tidal heating, supporting a stable subsurface ocean.
ESA plans 2040s missions to study Enceladus' ice thickness (20-28 km), with next challenge being ocean persistence.

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2 months ago