Cumbrian Sky

Is it possible for planets to be jealous of other planets? I only ask because it seems like Saturn is a bit put out by all the media attention Mars has been getting this week, because of the avalanches spotted by MRO's HiRISE camera...

Scientists working on the CASSINI probe orbiting Saturn have announced that they think - actually, they seem pretty sure - that one of the planet's moons, Rhea (which has been 'hailed', if that's the right word, as one of the most boring objects in the solar system by some) has its own system of rings. Yes, you did read that correctly: a moon with its own rings! How mad is that?!

Below: Artist's impression of Rhea's rings...

You can read the full story behind this on Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy blog.

Of course, as exciting as this news is, it's really just the warm-up act for what will happen on March 12th. What's happening then? Well, that's when CASSINI flies through the icy plumes that are jetting out of cracks or fissures at the south pole of another of Saturn's moons, Enceladus.

That is going to be a stunning day, with close-up images of the fissures and plumes, and fascinating data about the composition of the material that is coming out of those plumes. Can't wait! Full details here.

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