Tethys co orbitals. Telesto & Calypso.

[3488]

Now we have decent views of both of the small Tethys co orbital moons Telesto & Calypso, Telesto approx 30 KM long, Calypso approx 21 KM long, one strange thing has been revealed. The both lack small impact craters. They are not entirely crater free, but lack small craters & have a layering of icy particles covering their surfaces.

What is the source if this icy rubble / particles? Both of these share the same orbit around Saturn as the medium sized 1,080 KM wide Tethys.

Perhaps ice liberated from Enceladus's geysers?? If so then why does Tethys not display the same?

Telesto.

Telesto.

Crater approx 5 KM wide on Telesto. Notice the large ice boulder casting a shadow.

Calypso. Note how from this angle Calyspo looks much like Asteroid 433 Eros. Calypso is icy, 433 Eros is rocky.

Calypso, from very much closer in.

Andrew Brown.

 

[CalliArcale]

Beautiful and puzzling! These worlds were only dots before now, and now they have shapes and features. But they are oddly smooth, as if snowed upon. Very curious indeed.

 

[clint_dreamer]

Wow. Stunning photos. Another excellent job by Cassini