Enceladus: The Plot Thickens
Special Session at the Fall 2009 AGU

Conveners: Carolyn Porco, Chris McKay

The discovery in 2005 of a geologically active sector at the southern tip of the Saturnian moon, Enceladus, has thrust this small icy world onto center stage in planetary exploration. In the past 5 years, accumulating observational and theoretical results have significantly strengthened the suspicions that Enceladus houses within it a liquid watery environment containing the essential ingredients required for a habitable zone. And very recent results on the chemistry of the moon's plume have been particularly compelling in this regard. More than any other candidate extra-terrestrial outpost in our solar system where pre-biotic chemistry, and possibly life itself, might be stirring, the one found at the south pole of Enceladus is physically accessible, making investigation of this body especially promising and urgent.

In this session, we will focus on the most recent observational, theoretical and modeling results on the chemistry, state and dynamics of Enceladus' jets and plumes, its thermal and interior state, geologic activity, as well as its astrobiological potential. (New results from the 2009 Cassini flybys of Enceladus should be directed to this session.) As in years past, we look forward to a popular and stimulating discussion.

You can submit your abstract through the usual AGU website channels.

NOTE: Submit to Session P01: General Contributions. Be sure to include a note in the comments field that your abstract should be included in a focused Enceladus session.