Cassini Answers Some Questions, Poses More

According to recent press releases from NASA, the Cassini spacecraft has already begun returning a wealth of scientific data from Saturn and it's moons. In summary, here are some of the most recent findings:

(a) The Cassini Division in Saturn's rings may contain more "dirt" (which appears similar to Phoebe) than water ice, suggesting that the rings may be the remains of a moon,
(b) Oxygen observed in the edge of Saturn's rings may be the result of a recent collision with the rings,
(c) Sensors aboard the spacecraft detected microscopic particle collisions during Cassini's ring plane crossing last week - about 100,000 collisions within a 5 minute period,
(d) Wind speeds near Saturn's equator decrease significantly at higher altitudes and a more complete three dimensional model of Saturn's atmosphere is being developed,
(e) Saturn's moon Titan was imaged at various wavelengths showing some surface details and chemical composition, including regions of water ice, hydrocarbons, a methane cloud, and possibly a crater,
(f) There is a giant cloud surrounding Titan, which is probably caused by collisions from high energy particles trapped in the radiation belts around Saturn.

(For more details, see NASA press releases from 2 July and 3 July)