Highlights
- There is an ocean full of water on Saturn’s moon Mimas
- The diameter of Mimas Moon is 395 km, closest to Saturn
- This moon is known as Saturn I
One of the moons of Saturn, the second largest planet in the Solar System, has been claimed to have a layer of ice 32 km thick. Astronomers believe that a secret ocean is also present under the icy thick layer of this moon named Mimas. Mimas is one of the largest moons closest to Saturn. The diameter of the Mimas moon is 395 kilometers. It is the smallest celestial body which is the most round due to its gravity.
There were no signs of being liquid before
According to experts, there is no indication of any liquid water on the Mimas moon from the photographs and observations, but simulations from the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado suggest that an ocean is hidden under its thick layer of ice. In 2014, measurements from the NASA Cassini spacecraft showed that there may be some water under the surface of this moon. However, it has not been confirmed yet.
Ice is melted below the internal heat of this moon
In the new study, the team traced the size and compositional feature of the small moon. This determined whether its internal heat was capable of creating the state of flowing water. This moon is also known as Saturn I, because it is closest to the rings of Saturn. The total area of Mimas is only slightly less than the land area of Spain.
The surface of the mimas is quite hard from above
There is no evidence of any fracturing or melting on the upper surface of Mimas. Alyssa Roden, lead author of this new study, told New Scientist that when we look at mimas, it looks like a small, cold, dead rock. If you place Mimas with a group of other icy moons, then you will be told that this moon has an ocean.
Mimas was discovered in 1789
Mimas was discovered in 1789 by the English astronomer William Herschel with his 40-foot reflecting telescope. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft first flew around this moon. He had also collected many pictures of this moon. The average radius of this moon is less than 123 miles. Its upper surface is covered with pits. Its low density suggests that it consists almost entirely of water ice, the only substance ever found.
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