Astronomy Down Under

Saturn and moons

23 Jun at 16:51 by Wilson

Saturn has always been the most spectacular planet in the solar system, and it looks like every time you look you find a new satellite orbiting it; I think the total number is up to 47 already. Actually, it’s hard to give a precise number, and the problem is similar to that of deciding whether Pluto is a planet or not: technically, all of the small chunks of ice and rock that orbit Saturn, both independently and as part of its rings, are satellites, and there’s not a clear distinction between “small moon” and “large rock”.

In any case, the Cassini Imaging Lab has released a series of beautiful animations depicting the movement of Saturn and some of its moons. Definitely worth taking a look. The third one in particular, “Staying with Epimetheus”, shows quite clearly the amazing range of sizes the Saturnian moons come in.

And, admit it: you had no idea Saturn had a moon called Epimetheus, did you?

(on an unrelated note, Pluto’s new moons very officially named this week: they’re Nix and Hydra, joining the already known Charon; and the IAU should rule in September on what’s the official definition of a planet, so we may end this year with anything between 8 and 10 planets in our solar system)