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Fornjot or Saturn XLII is the outermost named moon of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, Jan Kleyna, and Brian G. Marsden on 4 May 2005 from observations taken between 12 December 2004, and 11 March 2005. It had the largest semi-major axis among all the known moons of Saturn
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Surtur or Saturn XLVIII is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, Jan Kleyna, and Brian G. Marsden on June 26, 2006 from observations taken between January and April 2006. It was named after Surt, a leader of the fire giants of Norse mythology.
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Gerd, provisionally known as S/2004 S 25, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 7, 2019 from observations taken between December 12, 2004 and March 22, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Gerðr, a jötunn from Norse mythology. She is married to Freyr and the personification of fertile soil.
Eggther, provisionally known as S/2004 S 27, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 7, 2019 from observations taken between December 12, 2004 and March 21, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Eggþér, a jötunn from Norse mythology. He is the herder of the female jötunn who lives in Járnviðr (Ironwood) and raises monstrous wolves. In the poem Völuspá, Eggþér is described as sitting on a mound and joyfully striking his harp while the red rooster Fjalarr begins to crow to herald the onset of Ragnarök.
Beli, provisionally known as S/2004 S 30, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 7, 2019, from observations taken between December 12, 2004, and March 21, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was named after Beli, a jötunn from Norse mythology. He is killed by Freyr with the antler of a hart (stag). According to John Lindow, the myth of Beli is partially lost. Some scholars suggest that he may be the brother of Freyr's wife Gerðr, although this is uncertain.
Gunnlod, provisionally known as S/2004 S 32, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 8, 2019 from observations taken between December 12, 2004 and January 19, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Gunnlǫð, a jötunn from Norse mythology. She is the daughter of Suttungr and guarded the mead of poetry for him. But Odin in the form of a snake gained access to the chamber in Hnitbjorg where the mead was kept, seduced Gunnlǫð, and slept with her for three nights. In return Gunnlǫð allowed Odin three drinks of the mead, and he then immediately flew out of the cavern in the form of an eagle.
Thiazzi, provisionally known as S/2004 S 33, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 8, 2019 from observations taken between December 12, 2004 and March 22, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Þjazi, a jötunn from Norse mythology. He is a son of Alvaldi and kidnapped the goddess Iðunn, who guarded the apples of the gods.
Alvaldi, provisionally known as S/2004 S 35, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 8, 2019 from observations taken between December 12, 2004 and February 25, 2006. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Alvaldi, a jötunn from Norse mythology. He was very rich in gold, and when he died his sons divided his inheritance by taking a mouthful each.
Geirrod, provisionally known as S/2004 S 38, is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan Kleyna on October 8, 2019 from observations taken between December 12, 2004 and March 22, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Geirröðr, a jötunn from Norse mythology. He is an enemy of Thor and is killed by him.
References
- ↑ Discovery Circumstances from JPL
- 1 2 S.S. Sheppard (2019), Moons of Saturn, Carnegie Science, on line
- 1 2 "MPEC 2019-T128 : S/2004 S 22". minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- ↑ "M.P.C. 133821" (PDF). Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ↑ "Names Approved for 10 Small Satellites of Saturn". usgs.gov. USGS. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ↑ Lindow, John (2002). Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-19-983969-8.
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