Cassini Eyes Titan's Xanadu (Flyby Tonight!)

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/

First Close Encounter of Saturn's Hazy Moon Titan

October 26, Tuesday 9:30 p.m. - Live Coverage and Commentary of "Cassini Titan Close Encounter" - JPL (Mission Coverage)
WEBCAST http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/webcast/cassini/

Long hidden behind a thick veil of haze, Titan, the only known moon with an atmosphere, is ready for its close-up on Oct. 26, 2004. This visit by the Cassini spacecraft may settle intense speculation about whether this moon of Saturn harbors oceans of liquid methane and ethane beneath its coat of clouds.

Cassini will fly by Titan at a distance of 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), with closest approach at 9:44 a.m. Pacific Time. This flyby will be nearly 300 times closer than the first Cassini flyby of Titan, on July 3.

"Cassini will see Titan as it has never been seen before. We expect the onboard instruments will pierce the moon's dense atmosphere and reveal a whole new world," said Dr. Charles Elachi, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., and team leader for the Cassini radar instrument.

[Robbie67]

1. Why isn't this considered LBN material?

I suppose if DU were around in 1969, the moon landing would have been shoved into the Lounge. :crazy:

[Chovexani]

2. Dirtiest subject line ever.

:evilgrin:

[Deja Q]

3. Just how big is that Xanadu?

:D