Anthe
Solar System -
Saturn's MoonsAlkyonides
All Images Credit: NASA/JPL/
Space Science Institute (Cassini)
Space Science Institute (Cassini)
Anthe is only about 1 km (a little over half a mile) across, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 197,700 km (122,800 miles) once every 24 hours and 53 minutes. To date (June 2011) it has not been imaged.
The Alkyonides are three small moons that orbit between Mimas and Enceladus. They are Methone, Anthe, and Pallene named for three of the Alkyonides who were, in Greek mythology, the seven daughters of Alcyoneus. The image to the right shows the three moons, and is part of an animation showing the discovery of Anthe, or S/2007 S4 as it was first known.
Methone
Just over 3 km (2 miles) across, Methone orbits Surn at a distance of 194,440 km (120,900 miles) once every 24 hours and 14 minutes. The first image shows the discovery of Methone in June 2004, and is one frame from an animation you can see here. The second image was taken in 2010.
Pallene
Pallene is only about 4 km (about 2.5 miles) across, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 212,280 km (131,990 miles) once every 27 hours and 41 minutes. Images from Cassini in 2006 showed a faint ring around Saturn in Pallene's orbit. Scientists believe it is the result of dust particles caused by meteroids hitting Pallene. It is called the Pallene Ring, and it is about 2,500 km (1,550 miles) wide.
Saturn's moons are grouped as follows. Select to see details of the moon or the group of moons:
Mimas • Enceladus • Tethys • Dione • Rhea • Titan • Iapetus • Hyperion • Norse Grp • Shepherd Moons • Alkyonides • Inuit Grp • Gallic Grp • Misc