[meteorite-list] Cassini: Helene Flyby on March 3, 2010

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:40:22 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201002261840.o1QIeMs5028421_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/flybys/helene20100303/

Cassini
Helene (Quasi-targeted) Flyby - March 3, 2010

Helene Quasi-targeted Flyby

Following a day after a targeted flyby of the moon Rhea, the Cassini
spacecraft makes its closest approach of the mission to Helene at about
1,800 kilometers (1,131 miles). The small moon is referred to as a
trojan moon because it is gravitationally tied to the much larger moon
Dione.

On approach the Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) takes
measurements that may help scientists analyze Helene's surface
composition and understand if it is coated with particles from the E
ring. Then, using a "skeet shoot"-style observation due to quickly
changing geometries, the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) captures
close-ups of the moon. Scientists hope these new views may reveal clues
about Helene's past, including how it got gravitationally captured by
the larger moon Dione and whether a collision was part of its past.

Helene Flyby
March 3, 2010 (SCET)

Altitude
1,800 kilometers (1,131 miles)
Received on Fri 26 Feb 2010 01:40:22 PM PST