S/2009 S 1

The bright dot with a long shadow in the center is S/2009 S 1. The Cassini Division is on the right.

S/2009 S 1 is a "propeller moonlet" of Saturn orbiting at a distance of approximately 117,000 km (73,000 mi), in the outer part of the B Ring, and with an approximate diameter of 300 m (980 ft).[1] The moonlet was discovered by the Cassini Imaging Team during the Cronian equinox event on 26 July 2009,[2] when it cast a shadow approximately 36 km (22 mi) long onto the B Ring. S/2009 S 1 protrudes approximately 150 m (490 ft) north of the ring.[3] The image was taken approximately 296,000 km (184,000 mi) from Saturn.[1]

History

Discovery

S/2009 S 1 was first identified by the Cassini Imaging Team[2] on 26 July 2009. It was discovered during 2009's equinox by an approximately 36 kilometres (22 mi) long shadow that it cast on the planet Saturn's B ring.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "A Small Find Near Equinox". Cassini Solstice Mission. JPL/NASA. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  2. 1 2 "Cassini Imaging Science Team". Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for OPerationS. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  3. ↑ Porco, C. & the Cassini Imaging Team (2 November 2009). "S/2009 S1". IAU Circular. 9091. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.