The closest view yet of Saturn’s moon Hyperion reveals a strange spongy surface unlike that of any other moon in the solar system, National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials said Friday.
A similar close-up of the moon Tethys revealed an icy land of steep cliffs and craters heavily bombarded by space debris.
The image of Hyperion was captured Monday from a distance of 310 miles. The picture of Tethys was taken last Saturday as the Cassini spacecraft swept within 930 miles of its surface.
Hyperion is slightly reddish in normal light, but there are variations in color across the surface that probably represent differences in composition of the materials.
Researchers are eager to learn the identity of the dark material that fills many craters on Hyperion. Physical features suggest it might be only 10 of yards thick, with a brighter material underneath.
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