The strong magnetic field of Saturn and Enceladus' interactions with it; is it possible that the magnetic field is causing partial melting inside Enceladus? If the moon is a poor conductor with high resistance, cutting across the field will generate an electrical current which will cause heating and melting.
2007-03-23 06:22:57 · 1 answers · asked by stargazergurl22 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Nobody is quite sure how such a small moon can have a molten interior. Tidal forces dont seem strong enough and Enceladus is not massive enough for appreciable heating by radioactive decay.
I suggest that (the overlooked answer is) electrical currents due to the magnetic field interactions are causing the heating.
2007-03-23 06:52:31 · update #1
That's pretty much a given that the core is probably melted water with a touch of iron.
Read all about it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enceladus_(moon)
2007-03-23 06:35:54 · answer #1 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋