Zee Media Bureau/Shruti Saxena


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New Delhi: NASA's Cassini spacecraft will soon make a daring final close flyby of Saturn's moon Enceladus.


According to NASA, the flyby will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 9:49 a.m. PST (12:49 p.m. EST).


Also read: Cassini makes 'deepest-ever dive' into Saturn's moon Enceladus


Scientists are hopeful the flyby will provide insights about how much heat is coming through the ice from the moon's interior. Enceladus has produced a series of major discoveries, indicating one of the most promising places to find life beyond Earth.


NASA tweeted on its official Twitter handle:



In October, Cassini's made its deepest-ever dive through the Enceladus plume, passing just 30 miles (49 kilometers) above the surface.


Also read: Check out: Spectacular images of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus from Cassini spacecraft


Launched in 1997, Cassini entered orbit around Saturn in 2004. Since then, it has been studying the huge planet, its rings, and its magnetic field.


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