Photos: First images from Saturn moon close encounter

NASA's Cassini probe has successfully flown through the plume of a geyser and took its closest approach to the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus, according to first reports of the mission from NASA.

Cassini program bloggers report that the probe survived its close encounter with the moon. The spacecraft was scheduled to collect samples of water ice, dust, and gas from the geyser's plume and analyze the samples as it speeds toward its next target. Details of the mission will be released after scientists examine the probe's findings.

The images of Enceladus were taken on March 12, 2008 and received by tracking stations on Earth on March 13. Click on the image to enlarge.