Kiviuq (moon)
Moon of Saturn
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Kiviuq is a prograde irregular satellite of Saturn. It was discovered by JJ Kavelaars et al. in 2000,[9] and given the temporary designation S/2000 S 5.[10][11] It was named after Kiviuq, a hero of Inuit mythology.[12]
Kiviuq imaged by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in September 2000 | |
| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | JJ Kavelaars et al. |
| Discovery date | 18 November 2000 |
| Designations | |
Designation | Saturn XXIV |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɪvi.ʌk/ |
Named after | Kiviuq |
| S/2000 S 5 | |
| Adjectives | Kiviupian, Kiviuqian[a] |
| Orbital characteristics[2] | |
| Epoch 2000 January 1.5 | |
| 11.3074 million km | |
| Eccentricity | 0.275 |
| 448.91 d (1.23 yr) | |
| Inclination | 48.0° (to the ecliptic) |
| Satellite of | Saturn |
| Group | Inuit group (Kiviuq) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 38.42 × 17 × 7.64 km[3][b] |
| 17+50% −30% km[4] | |
| 21.97±0.16 h[4] | |
| Albedo | <0.15[5] <0.10 (likely)[5] 0.06 (assumed)[4][6] |
Spectral type | B−V=0.87 R−V=0.66[7]/0.48[8] D-type[8] |
| 22.0[6] | |
| 12.6[6] | |
Kiviuq is about 17 km in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 11.3 million kilometers in 449 days. It is a member of the Inuit group of irregular satellites. It is light red, and the Kiviupian (Kiviuqan)[a] infrared spectrum is very similar to the Inuit-group satellites Siarnaq and Paaliaq, supporting the thesis of a possible common origin of the Inuit group in the break-up of a larger body.[8][13]
Kiviuq is believed to be in Kozai resonance, cyclically reducing its orbital inclination while increasing the eccentricity and vice versa.[14] Its current orbital elements overlap strongly with Phoebe's orbit, and the moons will likely eventually collide with each other.[6]
The light curve amplitude of Kiviuq is large, varying in brightness by over 2 magnitudes. The large amplitude of Kiviuq suggests that it has an elongated shape, and may be a possible contact binary.[4]
Exploration
On 30 August 2010, the ISS camera of the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft took light-curve data from a distance of 9.3 million km. With this data, the rotation period was measured to be 21 hours and 49 minutes.[15] This was later refined to 21 hours and 58 minutes.[4]
Notes
- The genitive form of Kiviuq is Kiviup. Thus the adjectival form could be absolutive Kiviuqian or genitive Kiviupian, parallel to nominative Venusian and genitive Venerian for Venus. See Inuktitut morphology
- Assuming the medium axis is equal to the diameter calculated from the assumed albedo.
