Saturn formally has 63 moons, with one other 20 at the moment awaiting affirmation of their discovery and subsequent naming by the Worldwide Astronomical Union.
Saturn‘s satellites differ tremendously of their composition, from icy giants with subsurface oceans to small, closely cratered rocky worlds that appear to be one thing straight out of a sci-fi drama. Whereas some journey inside gaps in Saturn’s rings and clear a path by way of the particles, others orbit farther out.
The ringed big’s moons additionally fluctuate significantly in measurement. The biggest, Titan, is greater than the planet Mercury, whereas the smallest are not any bigger than a sports activities enviornment, according to NASA (opens in new tab). Seven of Saturn’s moons are so vibrant that they’re seen from Earth by way of a telescope. With the correct gear and situations, it is attainable to identify Titan, Rhea, Tethys, Dione, Enceladus, Iapetus and Mimas.
Associated: The 10 weirdest moons in the solar system
Daisy Dobrijevic
Daisy joined Area.com in February 2022, earlier than that she labored as a workers author for our sister publication All About Area journal. Daisy has a Ph.D. in plant physiology and an MSci in environmental science.
Saturn’s moons had been thrust into the highlight through the Voyager 1, Voyager 2, Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 flybys within the Seventies and Eighties, but it surely wasn’t till NASA’s Cassini mission reached Saturn in 2004 that we began to see the moons in a complete new — and much more detailed — gentle. For greater than 10 years, Cassini noticed Saturn and its household of unusual moons, offering us with a window into the distinctive worlds in our outer solar system.
Saturn moon names and dates of discovery
Here’s a record of Saturn’s 63 confirmed moons (opens in new tab) and the dates of their discovery, in keeping with NASA:
Aegaeon: The smallest recognized moon of Saturn was imaged on Aug. 15, 2008, and its presence was confirmed when scientists discovered it in two earlier Cassini photographs.
Aegir: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Albiorix: Found on November 9, 2000, by Matthew J. Holman and Timothy B. Spahr with the 6.5-m reflector telescope primarily based on the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, Arizona.
Alvaldi: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Angrboda: Found on December. 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Anthe: Found on Might 30, 2007, by the Cassini imaging staff.
Atlas: Found in 1980 by Richard Terrile and the Voyager 1 staff by images taken by the spacecraft throughout its shut cross of Saturn.
Bebhionn: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Beli: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Bergelmir: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Bestla: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Calypso: Found in March 1980 by Dan Pascu, Kenneth Seidelmann, William Baum, and Douglas Currie utilizing a ground-based telescope.
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Daphnis: Found on Might. 1, 2005, by the Cassini mission staff.
Dione: Found on March 21, 1684, by Giovanni Cassini.
Eggther: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Enceladus: Found on August 28, 1789, by British astronomer William Herschel.
Epimetheus: Noticed by Audouin Dollfus on December 15, 1966, for which he proposed the title “Janus.” On Dec. 18, 1966, Richard Walker made the same remark. At the moment, astronomers believed they had been observing one moon recognized unofficially as “Janus.” However in October 1978, Stephen M. Larson and John W. Fountain realized that the 1966 observations had been of two separate objects (Janus and Epimetheus). This was confirmed by Voyager 1 in 1980. Subsequently Larson and Fountain, together with Walker, formally share the invention of Epimetheus.
Erriapus: Found on September 23, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Farbauti: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Fenrir: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Fornjot: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing a wide-field digicam on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Geirrod: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Gerd: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Greip: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Gridr: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Gunnlod: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Hati: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Helene: Found on March 1, 1980, by Pierre Laques and Jean Lecacheux.
Hyperion: Found in 1848 by William Lassell and independently by William Cranch Bond, along with his son George Phillips Bond the identical 12 months. All three are credited with the invention.
Hyrrokkin: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
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Iapetus: Found on October 25, 1671, by Giovanni Cassini, though his observations weren’t validated till the Voyager 1 and a pair of encounters in 1980 and 1981.
Ijiraq: Found on September 23, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Janus: Noticed by Audouin Dollfus on December 15, 1966, for which he proposed the title “Janus.” On Dec. 18, 1966, Richard Walker made the same remark. At the moment, astronomers believed they we solely observing one moon recognized unofficially as “Janus.” In Oct. 1978, Stephen M. Larson and John W. Fountain realized that the 1966 observations had been of two separate objects (Janus and Epimetheus). This was confirmed by Voyager 1 in 1980.
Jarnsaxa: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Kari: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Kiviuq: Found on Aug. 7, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns on the European Southern Observatory in La Silla, Chile.
Loge: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.2-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Methone: Found on June 1, 2004, by the Cassini imaging staff.
Mimas: Found on September. 17, 1789, by English astronomer William Herschel utilizing his 40-foot reflector telescope.
Mundilfari: Found in 2000 by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
Narvi: Found on April 8, 2003, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna.
Paaliaq: Found on August 7, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns on the European Southern Observatory in La Silla, Chile.
Pallene: Found on June 1, 2005, by the Cassini imaging staff.
Pan: Found by Mark Showalter in 1990 utilizing images captured by Voyager 2, 9 years prior.
Pandora: Found in October 1980 by the Voyager 1 science staff.
Phoebe: Found in August 1898 by American astronomer William Pickering.
Polydeuces: Found on Oct. 21, 2004, by the Cassini mission staff.
Prometheus: Found in October 1980 by the Voyager 1 science staff.
Rhea: Found on Dec. 23, 1672.
Siarnaq: Found on September 23, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Skathi: Found on September 23, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Skoll: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.3-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Skrymir: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Surtur: Found on March 6, 2006, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna utilizing the Subaru 8.3-m reflector telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Suttungr: Found in 2000 by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Tarqeq: Found on January. 16, 2007, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Subaru 8.2-m reflector on the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii.
Tarvos: Found on September 23, 2000, by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Telesto: Found in 1980 by Brad Smith, Harold Reitsema, Stephen Larson and John Fountain utilizing ground-based observations.
Tethys: Found on March 21, 1684, by Giovanni Cassini.
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Thiazzi: Found on December 12, 2004, by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna on the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.
Thrymr: Found in 2000 by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Titan: Found on March 25, 1655, by Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens.
Ymir: Found in 2000 by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Phillip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns utilizing the three.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii reflector on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Saturn’s 8 greatest moons
1. Titan
Imply diameter: 3,200 miles (5,150 kilometers)
The biggest of Saturn’s moons and the primary to be found is Titan. It’s the solely moon within the solar system recognized to have a considerable environment. Nitrogen and methane prolong across the moon 10 occasions as far into space as Earth’s atmosphere, generally falling to Titan’s floor as methane rain.
2. Rhea
Imply diameter: 950 miles (1,500 km)
Rhea is a closely cratered moon composed of ice and rock (opens in new tab). The frozen soiled snowball is tidally locked with Saturn, that means one facet all the time faces towards the ringed big. In 2010, the Cassini spacecraft detected a skinny environment — referred to as an exosphere — composed of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
3. Iapetus
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Imply diameter: 914 miles (1,470 km)
Iapetus contains a high-contrast floor of sunshine and darkish. As such, it has been dubbed the yin and yang of the Saturn moons. Iapetus, like Rhea, is regarded as composed of ice and rock. When Giovanni Cassini found Iapetus in 1671, he famous that the moon had one facet a lot darker than the opposite, as he might solely see Iapetus when it was on the west facet of Saturn. Iapetus additionally comprises a number of the highest mountains within the solar system. A series of 6-mile (10 km) excessive mountains stretch alongside the moon’s equator (opens in new tab).
4. Dione
Imply diameter: 698 miles (1,120 km)
Dione is a closely cratered moon with a dense core. It’s probably composed of silicate rock with the rest of the moon made of ice (opens in new tab). Unusually, the tidally locked moon is extra closely cratered on its trailing hemisphere in comparison with its main hemisphere. (Normally, a number one hemisphere is extra cratered because it faces impactors like meteors head-on). Scientists have theorized {that a} latest affect might have knocked Dione, however precisely how the moon spun precisely 180 levels stays a thriller.
5. Tethys
Imply diameter: 662 miles (1,066 km)
Tethys travels close to Saturn (opens in new tab) and feels the gravitational pull of the planet significantly strongly. The warmth from Saturn could enable the moon’s icy floor to soften barely, filling in craters and different indicators of affect. Made up virtually fully of water ice, the floor is very reflective. A big trench crosses the moon, operating diagonally from its north to south pole and spanning three-quarters of the satellite’s circumference. A big crater on the opposite facet of the moon covers practically two-fifths of the moon’s diameter and is almost the dimensions of fellow moon Mimas. Scientists have discovered strange red arcs on Tethys that they can not but clarify.
6. Enceladus
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Imply diameter: 313 miles (504 km)
Saturn’s icy ocean moon, Enceladus, has the whitest, most reflective floor within the solar system. Under its frozen shell lies a subsurface ocean sporting situations which may harbor life. The unusual moon spews its ocean out into space; in 2005, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft discovered icy water particles gushing from the surface (opens in new tab) at roughly 800 miles per hour (400 meters per second). The ejected materials types Saturn’s E ring and scientists research the ring to study extra about Enceladus’ ocean. Nanograins of silica have been present in Saturn’s E-ring, which suggests the presence of hydrothermal vents inside Enceladus’ ocean. Silica can solely be generated in super-hot situations equivalent to in hydrothermal vents, when liquid water and rock work together at temperatures above 200 levels Fahrenheit (90 levels Celsius).
7. Mimas
Imply diameter: 246 miles (396 km)
Mimas has a gaping crater that offers the rocky moon a powerful resemblance to the fictional Dying Star within the “Star Wars” motion pictures. The affect stands out even though Mimas is likely one of the most heavily cratered bodies (opens in new tab) within the solar system, with overlapping impacts protecting the floor. The small moon consists of primarily water ice — that is additionally the one substance ever detected on Mimas.
However Mimas continues to puzzle scientists.
The small moon orbits nearer to Saturn than Enceladus and has a a lot bigger eccentric (elongated) orbit. In principle, Mimas ought to obtain extra tidal heating than Enceladus. However whereas Enceladus shows proof of inner warmth by way of geysers of water, Mimas’ closely cratered floor implies it has been frozen for a very long time. This paradoxical remark of Mimas’ geological historical past has given rise to the “Mimas Check”, which states “any principle that claims to clarify the partially thawed water of Enceladus should additionally clarify the fully frozen water of Mimas”, in keeping with NASA Science (opens in new tab).
8. Hyperion
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Imply diameter alongside its three axes: 255 x 163 x 137 miles (410 x 260 x 220 km, respectively)
Hyperion was the final of Saturn’s main satellites to be found. It’s a small, potato-shaped moon with a spongy-looking texture. Scientists recommend that Hyperion’s odd form is indicative that Hyperion may be a remnant (opens in new tab) of a a lot bigger moon that was destroyed by an affect.
The way to see Saturn’s moons
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Seven of Saturn’s moons are so vibrant that they are seen by way of a telescope.
The simplest Saturnian moon to identify is Titan, as the enormous moon can attain magnitude +8. At this brightness, you can spot it utilizing a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. (On the magnitude scale utilized by astronomers, decrease numbers signify brighter objects. For instance, at its brightest, the planet Venus shines with a magnitude of about -4.6 (opens in new tab).)
The opposite six moons shine on the following magnitudes, in keeping with astronomy approach and guides web site lovethenightsky.com (opens in new tab):
- Rhea: +9
- Tethys: +10
- Dione: +10
- Enceladus: +11.5
- Iapetus: +10.5
- Mimas: +12.5
To search out out the place and when to look out for Saturn’s moons, we suggest utilizing skywatching apps like SkySafari or software program like Starry Night time. Our picks for the best stargazing apps could allow you to along with your planning.
When you’re searching for a telescope or binoculars to look at Saturn and its moons, our best telescopes for seeing planets information may help. We even have guides on the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals, which can are available in helpful when trying to find offers.
Extra info
Discover out extra about Saturn and its moons with The Planetary Society (opens in new tab). Take a free course on the moons of our solar system with The Open University (opens in new tab) to broaden your information. Discover 10 mysteries about Saturn’s moons that scientists are keen to unravel, with this feature from NASA Science. (opens in new tab)
Bibliography
What number of of Saturn’s moons can I see by way of my telescope? Love the Night time Sky, accessed Oct. 17. 2022 from: https://lovethenightsky.com/how-many-of-saturns-moons-can-i-see-through-a-telescope/ (opens in new tab)
NASA. Saturn Moons: Overview. Accessed Oct. 17, 2022. From: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/overview (opens in new tab)
NASA. Saturn Moons: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 17, 2022. From https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/in-depth/ (opens in new tab)
NASA. Iapetus: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 18, 2022. From https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/iapetus/in-depth/ (opens in new tab)
NASA. Rhea: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 18, 2022. From: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/rhea/in-depth (opens in new tab)
NASA. Dione: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 18, 2022. From: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/dione/in-depth/ (opens in new tab)
NASA. Tethys: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 18. 2022. From: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/tethys/in-depth/
NASA. Enceladus: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 18, 2022. From: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/enceladus/in-depth/ (opens in new tab)
NASA. Mimas: In Depth. Accessed Oct. 18, 2022. From: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/saturn-moons/mimas/in-depth/ (opens in new tab)
