The Cassini spacecraft has been moving progressively over Titan's southern hemisphere and flew by Titan on Oct. 2, 2007.
Fluids have flowed and cut these deeply-incised channels into the icy surface of Titan as seen in this Synthetic Aperture Radar image. This Cassini radar image was acquired as a part of the Titan flyby observations taken on Sept. 7, 2005, from a distance of about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles).
Cassini Headed South on Recent Titan Flyby
The Cassini spacecraft has been moving progressively over Titan's southern hemisphere and flew by Titan on Oct. 2, 2007. During this flyby, Cassini's radar instrument imaged the surface.
This is the radar instrument's southernmost flyby to date. The next few radar passes should bring the spacecraft closer to the south pole. Scientists will be on the hunt for lakes or seas to see if they are as prevalent here as they are at the north pole.
Titan Flyby at a Glance
Date
Oct. 2, 2007
Altitude
975 km (605 miles)
Speed
14,000 mph (6.3 km/sec)
