As is well known, NASA plans to publish images of the northern region of Encelada, taken by the Cassini spacecraft. And they will all be photographed from the maximum proximity.

The first images of Saturn's icy moon were taken during the first approach of the Cassini spacecraft, which took place on October 14, when the spacecraft flew over the surface of the space body at a distance of 1839 kilometers. Using unique images, scientists intend to explore the area near the north pole of Enceladus, which was previously hidden in the darkness of winter, for the first time.

But now it's summer in the northern hemisphere, and scientists are looking forward to Cassini images to help find spewing ice geysers telling of ancient geological activity.

It should be noted that researchers have long believed that the most suitable place for the origin and existence of life in the solar system is the geologically active and the sixth largest moon of Saturn. Scientists believe that beneath the surface of Enceladus is a large ocean, filled with water in a liquid state.

As experts speculate, the ocean's bottom runs periodically hydrothermal processes that cause eruption. There is even a version that these eruptions cause the rings of Saturn. In addition, experts also claim that ocean floor conditions are similar to terrestrial, and therefore life may be very likely there.

NASA plans to specify the level of Encelado's hydrothermal activity and its impact on the ocean on October 28. On this day, the Cassini spacecraft will fly only 49 kilometers from the moon's surface. In the entire ten years of the probe's deployment, it will be the closest approach to this cosmic body.

Researchers expect to receive a lot of unique images and, as a result, a lot of information about the processes that take place beneath the surface of Enceladus. Then, on December 19, Cassini will complete its tasks related to Saturn's large satellites. At the end of the mission, the probe will measure the heat that emanates from the depths of Enceladus - from a distance of five thousand kilometers from its surface.