Thin Rings of Saturn

ladymurasaki · Post by **ladymurasaki** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:06 pm

I was wondering if anyone knows what that tiny white speck in the middle of today's APOD is - it is kind of plumply crescent shaped and hanging off the edge of the ring.

Thanks!

gordhaddow · Post by **gordhaddow** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:49 pm

That is the moon Enceladus

ladymurasaki · Post by **ladymurasaki** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:10 pm

Ah right - of course. I didn't read the caption very carefully it seems. Another question then - how much light is reflected off of a moon such as Enceladus? It seems like it would have to be fairly significant to significantly add to the "unusual glow" of Saturn's dark side.