Eggther (moon)

Last updated
Eggther
Discovery [1]
Discovered by Sheppard et al.
Discovery date2019
Designations
Named after
Eggþér
Saturn LIX
S/2004 S 27
S8576a [2]
Orbital characteristics [2]
19776700 km
Eccentricity 0.120
−1033.0 days
Inclination 167.1°
Satellite of Saturn
Group Norse group
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
6+50%
−30%
 km
24.5

    Eggther (Saturn LIX), 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. [3] It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. [4] On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Eggþér, a jötunn from Norse mythology. [5] He is the herder of the female jötunn (probably Angrboða) who lives in Járnviðr (Ironwood) and raises monstrous wolves. [6] [7] [8] 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. [7]

    Eggther is about 6 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 19.976 Gm in 1054.45 days, at an inclination of 168° to the ecliptic, in a retrograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.122. [3]

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    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.

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    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

    1. Discovery Circumstances from JPL
    2. 1 2 S.S. Sheppard (2019), Moons of Saturn, Carnegie Science, on line
    3. 1 2 "MPEC 2019-T134 : S/2004 S 27". minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
    4. "M.P.C. 133821" (PDF). Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
    5. "Names Approved for 10 Small Satellites of Saturn". usgs.gov. USGS. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
    6. Salus, Peter H.; Taylor, Paul B. (1969). "Eikinskjaldi, Fjalarr, And Eggþér: Notes on Dwarves and Giants in the Völuspá". Neophilologus. 53 (1): 76–81. doi:10.1007/BF01511692. ISSN   1572-8668. S2CID   162276325.
    7. 1 2 Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. p. 35. ISBN   978-0-304-34520-5.
    8. Lindow, John (2002). Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. p. 102. ISBN   978-0-19-983969-8.