Bergelmir (moon) facts for kids
Bergelmir is one of the many moons orbiting the planet Saturn. It is also known by its scientific name, Saturn XXXVIII. Scientists first spotted this small moon in 2004. Its discovery was officially announced on May 4, 2005. A team of astronomers, including Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, Jan Kleyna, and Brian G. Marsden, made this exciting find.
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Discovering Bergelmir: A New Moon Found
Astronomers found Bergelmir by carefully observing the sky. They used powerful telescopes to look at Saturn and its surroundings. The observations that led to its discovery were made between December 12, 2004, and March 9, 2005. Finding new moons helps us learn more about our solar system.
About Bergelmir: Size and Orbit
Bergelmir is a small moon. It is only about 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) wide. This makes it one of Saturn's tiny, icy companions.
Bergelmir's Journey Around Saturn
Bergelmir orbits Saturn very far away. Its average distance from the planet is about 19,372,000 kilometers. To give you an idea, that's more than 19 million kilometers! It takes Bergelmir a long time to complete one full trip around Saturn. It takes about 1007 Earth days, which is almost three years. Its orbit is also quite tilted compared to Saturn's equator.
Naming Bergelmir: A Mythical Giant
This moon received its official name, Bergelmir, in April 2007. Like many of Saturn's moons, its name comes from Norse mythology.
The Story of Bergelmir in Norse Myths
In Norse myths, Bergelmir was a giant. He was the grandson of Ymir, who was the very first giant. According to the stories, when Ymir was killed by the gods Odin and his brothers, a huge flood happened. Bergelmir and his wife were the only giants who survived this great flood. They then became the ancestors of a new group of giants. This ancient story gives the moon its unique name.
