S/2020 S 3

Last updated
S/2020 S 3
Discovery 
Discovered by E. Ashton, Brett J. Gladman
Discovery date2020
Orbital characteristics  
18,054,700  km (11,218,700 mi) [1]
Eccentricity 0.038
2.486 yrs (907.99 d) [1]
Inclination 46.1° (to the ecliptic)
Satellite of Saturn
Group Inuit group (Siarnaq)
Physical characteristics
3 km
16.4

    S/2020 S 3 is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Edward Ashton, Brett J. Gladman, Jean-Marc Petit and Mike Alexandersen on May 5, 2023 from observations taken between July 3, 2019 and July 9, 2021. [2]

    S/2020 S 3 is about 3 kilometers in diameter, and orbits Saturn at a distance of 17.930 Gm in 896.35 days, at an inclination of 47.1, orbits in a prograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.038. [2] S/2020 S 3 belongs to the Inuit group, it may be a Siarnaq fragment that broke off long ago, since it shares the same orbital elements and its orbit is quite circular due to its low eccentricity unlike the other irregular moons. [3]

    References

    1. 1 2 "Planetary Satellite Mean Elements". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    2. 1 2 "MPEC 2023-J35 : S/2020 S 3". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
    3. ↑ "S/2020 S 3". Tilmann's Web Site. Tilmann Denk. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
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