Saturn LX

Last updated
Saturn LX
Discovery [1]
Discovered by Sheppard et al.
Discovery date2019
Designations
S/2004 S 29
S2428b [2]
Orbital characteristics [2]
17063900 km
Eccentricity 0.485 [3]
837.78 days
Inclination 38.6° [3]
Satellite of Saturn
Group Gallic group [4] :7
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
4+50%
−30%
 km
24.9

    Saturn LX, provisionally known as S/2004 S 29, is a natural satellite of Saturn and a member of the Gallic group. 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 January 17, 2007. [5] It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. [6]

    Saturn LX is about 4 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 17 million km (11 million mi) in 837.78 d (2.2937 a), at an average inclination of 38.6° to the ecliptic, with an eccentricity of 0.485. [3]

    Saturn LX was initially thought to be part of the Inuit group before it was recategorized to the Gallic group in 2022. [4] :7

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    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.

    Saturn LXIV, provisionally known as S/2004 S 34, 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 21, 2007. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021.

    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 3 "Planetary Satellite Mean Elements". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
    4. 1 2 Jacobson, Robert A.; Brozović, Marina; Mastrodemos, Nickolaos; Riedel, Joseph E.; Sheppard, Scott S. (December 2022). "Ephemerides of the Irregular Saturnian Satellites from Earth-based Astrometry and Cassini Imaging". The Astronomical Journal. 164 (6): 10. Bibcode:2022AJ....164..240J. doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/ac98c7 . 240.
    5. "MPEC 2019-T136 : S/2004 S 29". minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
    6. "M.P.C. 133821" (PDF). Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.