Hyperion (satellite)

Hyperion is a satellite of Saturn, the seventh classical satellite in order of distance from the planet. It is distinguished by its irregular shape, its chaotic rotation, and its inexplicable sponge-like appearance.

It is in orbit at an average distance of 1,481,000 km, completing one revolution in just over twenty-one days and six hours. Relatively irregular in shape, it has a diameter of about 300 km and a mass a thousand times less than that of our Moon. Its density is extraordinarily low, so for the most part it must be full of cavities.

Hyperion was discovered in 1848 by astronomers William C. Bond and his son George P. Bond, and independently by William Lassell.

It is probably made mostly of water ice.

Name

His name comes from Hyperion, a Titan in Greek mythology; he is also referred to as Saturn VII .

The discovery of Hyperion occurred shortly after John Herschel had suggested the classical names for the other six previously known satellites. W. Lassell, who found Hyperion two days after the Bonds, had already accepted Herschel's designation for Saturn's satellites and therefore suggested the name Hyperion. He also posted his results before the Bonds.

Physical characteristics

Morphology

Hyperion is one of the largest irregularly shaped bodies in the solar system. The largest impact crater is approximately 120 km in diameter and 10 km deep. One possible explanation for its irregular shape is that Hyperion is a fragment of a previous larger satellite that was partially destroyed by a large impact long ago, an event that has been linked to the partial dimming of Iapetus.

Composition

Like Saturn's other moons, Hyperion's low density indicates that it is composed mostly of frozen water, with a small fraction of rock. Astronomers think that Hyperion may be composed of a loose gravitational association of chunks of rock, which would be evidence of a violent past (partial destruction by a cometary impact, for example). In fact, his Density is so low (0.5 g/cm³) that it is thought that this body is full of porosities and internal caverns.

Orbit

Hyperion is the next 'classical' from Saturn after Titan. One of the most peculiar features of Hyperion's orbit is that it is in a 4:3 orbital resonance with Titan, which means that Titan orbits Saturn exactly four times for every 3 turns of Hyperion.

Recent discoveries

NASA discovered the presence of carbohydrates when the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft flew by the moon in September 2005. In addition, in July 2007, the probe confirmed both the porous sponge-like structure and the presence of carbohydrates. water in the form of ice

On November 28, 2010, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft passed within 75,000 km of Hyperion and took more images.