Final answer:
Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, is known as the most reflective moon in the solar system, notable for its icy surface and active geysers expelling water into space, contributing to Saturn's E Ring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question asks about Enceladus, which is known as the most reflective moon in the solar system. Enceladus is one of Saturn's moons. Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun, boasts at least 82 known moons, each with unique characteristics. Enceladus, despite its relatively small size of just 500 kilometers in diameter, is one of the most interesting due to its active geysers of water being expelled into space.
Enceladus's ability to reflect light is primarily due to its icy surface, which makes it stand out among the other moons. Its reflective surface coupled with the geysers suggests geological activity beneath its crust. This activity is believed to contribute to the E Ring around Saturn, since the expelled water ice from Enceladus replenishes the ring, indicating a dynamic and probably ongoing geological process.
Besides Enceladus, Saturn's moon system includes the large moon Titan, which is almost as large as Ganymede, Jupiter's moon, and features a thick atmosphere and lakes of liquid hydrocarbons. The information given also compares these moons to those of Jupiter, including the Galilean moons, and highlights the differences in their composition and activities. For instance, whereas Europa, one of the Galilean moons, may have a global ocean beneath its ice crust, Enceladus shows signs of surface geysers and the presence of liquid water possibly from an ocean beneath its surface.