S/2020 S 9

Last updated
S/2020 S 9
Discovery 
Discovered by Edward Ashton, Brett J. Gladman
Discovery date2020
Orbital characteristics  
25,434,100  km (15,804,000 mi) [1]
Eccentricity 0.531
-4.203 yrs (1,534.97 d) [1]
Inclination 161.4° (to the ecliptic)
Satellite of Saturn
Group Norse group
Physical characteristics
4 km
16.0

    S/2020 S 9 is a small and faint natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Edward Ashton, Brett J. Gladman, Jean-Marc Petit and Mike Alexandersen on May 15, 2023 from observations taken between August 23, 2019 and August 16, 2020. [2]

    Physical Characteristics, Orbit and Origin

    S/2020 S 9 orbits Saturn at a distance of 25.434 Gm in 1,534.97 days, at an inclination of 161.4, orbits in retrograde direction and eccentricity of 0.531. [2] S/2020 S 9 belongs to the Norse group and it is one of the most distant moons from Saturn along with S/2004 S 26, S/2004 S 52 and S/2019 S 21. [3] S/2020 S 9 might be a part of the Mundilfari subgroup, as it has similar inclination to Mundilfari. [4]

    S/2020 S 9 is estimated to be about 4 kilometers in diameter.

    References

    1. 1 2 "Planetary Satellite Mean Elements". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
    2. 1 2 "MPEC 2023-J178 : S/2020 S 9". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
    3. ↑ "S/2020 S 9". Tilmann's Web Site. Tilmann Denk. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
    4. ↑ Ashton, Edward; Gladman, Brett; Alexandersen, Mike; Petit, Jean-Marc (10 March 2025). "Retrograde predominance of small saturnian moons reiterates a recent retrograde collisional disruption". Planetary Science Journal. arXiv: 2503.07081 . Retrieved 6 April 2025.
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