Beli (moon)

Last updated
Beli
Discovery [1]
Discovered by Sheppard et al.
Discovery date2019
Designations
Named after
Beli
Saturn LXI
S/2004 S 30
S5612a2 [2]
Orbital characteristics [2]
20424000 km
Eccentricity 0.113
−1084.1 days
Inclination 156.3°
Satellite of Saturn
Group Norse group
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
4+50%
−30%
 km
25.4

    Beli (Saturn LXI), 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. [3] It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. [4] On 24 August 2022, it was named after Beli, a jötunn from Norse mythology. [5] 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. [6] [7]

    Beli is about 4 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 20.396 Gm in 1087.84 days, at 157.5° to the ecliptic, in a retrograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.113. [3]

    Due to an error in the initial announcement of Beli, it was announced by the Minor Planet Center with the same orbit as Gerd. [8] The issue was corrected later the same day. [9]

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of discovery of Solar System planets and their moons</span> Thе history of discovering planets and moons

    The timeline of discovery of Solar System planets and their natural satellites charts the progress of the discovery of new bodies over history. Each object is listed in chronological order of its discovery, identified through its various designations, and the discoverer(s) listed.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Norse group</span> Category of satellites of Saturn

    The Norse group is a large group of retrograde irregular satellites of Saturn. Their semi-major axes range between 12 and 27 Gm, their inclinations between 136° and 178° and their eccentricities between 0.06 and 0.63. Unlike the Inuit and Gallic groups, the orbital parameters are widely dispersed and the group is likely to be composed from a number of subgroups with more homogeneous orbital and physical parameters. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) reserves names taken from Norse mythology for these moons. The exception is Phoebe, the largest, which was discovered long before the others.

    Gridr, originally known as S/2004 S 20, 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 June 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Gríðr, a jötunn in Norse mythology. She is the mother of Víðarr the silent and the consort of Odin. She warned Thor about the treachery of Geirröðr and equipped him with her belt of strength, her iron glove, and her staff Gríðarvöl (Gríðr's-staff).

    S/2004 S 21 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 January 17, 2007.

    Angrboda, provisionally known as S/2004 S 22, 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 February 1, 2006. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021. On 24 August 2022, it was officially named after Angrboða, a jötunn in Norse mythology. She is the consort of Loki and the mother of the wolf Fenrir, the Midgard serpent Jörmungandr, and the ruler of the dead Hel.

    Skrymir, provisionally known as S/2004 S 23, 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 Útgarða-Loki. He is a jötunn from Norse mythology and master of illusions.

    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.

    Saturn LVIII, provisionally known as S/2004 S 26, is the outermost numbered 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.

    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.

    S/2004 S 28 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.

    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. It was given its permanent designation in August 2021.

    S/2004 S 31 is a natural satellite of Saturn and a member of the Inuit group. 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.

    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.

    S/2004 S 36 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 1, 2006.

    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.

    S/2004 S 39 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.

    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-T137 : S/2004 S 30". 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. Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. p. 16. ISBN   978-0-304-34520-5.
    7. Lindow, John (2002). Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. p. 73. ISBN   978-0-19-983969-8.
    8. "MPEC 2019-T132 : S/2004 S 25". minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
    9. "MPEC 2019-T140 : S/2004 S 30". minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 7 October 2019.