S/2004 S 3 facts for kids
 This picture shows S/2004 S 3 when it was first seen. |
|
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Carl Murray and the Cassini Imaging Science Team |
| Discovered on | June 21, 2004 |
| Orbit Information | |
| Distance from Saturn | 140,100 − 140,600 km |
| Orbit Shape | Almost a perfect circle |
| Time to orbit Saturn | 0.62 days (about 15 hours) |
| Orbit Angle | Very flat, close to Saturn's rings |
| Orbits | Saturn |
| Physical Details | |
| Size (average) | 3–5 km across |
| Rotation | Probably spins at the same speed it orbits (synchronous) |
| Tilt | Not known |
| How reflective it is | Not known |
| Air around it | None |
S/2004 S 3 is the name given to a mysterious object seen orbiting Saturn in 2004. It was spotted just outside the F ring, which is one of Saturn's many beautiful rings.
This object was first noticed on June 21, 2004. It was seen by Carl D. Murray and the Cassini Imaging Science Team. They used pictures taken by the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, which was exploring Saturn. The discovery was announced a few months later, on September 9, 2004.
Contents
Saturn's Mysterious Object
The Discovery of S/2004 S 3
The Cassini spacecraft was taking many pictures of Saturn and its rings. In these pictures, scientists saw a small, bright spot. This spot was moving around Saturn, just like a moon. It was given the temporary name S/2004 S 3.
A Vanishing Object?
After its first sighting, astronomers tried to find S/2004 S 3 again. However, they haven't been able to see it clearly since. For example, on November 15, 2004, Cassini took many detailed pictures of the area. Even with these clear images, the object could not be found.
This makes scientists think that S/2004 S 3 might not be a solid moon. Instead, it could have been a temporary clump of dust and ice. This clump might have broken apart or spread out after it was first seen.
S/2004 S 3 and S/2004 S 4
About five hours after S/2004 S 3 was seen, another object was spotted nearby. This new object was called S/2004 S 4. The interesting thing is that S/2004 S 4 was seen just inside Saturn's F Ring.
Because they were in different places, scientists gave them different names. However, some scientists wonder if they could be the same object. It's possible that one object was simply moving across the F Ring. If it was on a slightly tilted path, it might not have actually crashed into the ring material.
What Could It Be?
If S/2004 S 3 is a solid object, it would be quite small. Scientists estimate it would be about 3 to 5 kilometers (about 2 to 3 miles) wide. This size is based on how bright it appeared in the images.
If it is a solid moon, it might be a "shepherd satellite." Shepherd satellites are small moons that orbit near the edges of planetary rings. They help to keep the ring particles in line, like a shepherd guiding a flock. S/2004 S 3 could be helping to shape the outer edge of Saturn's F Ring.
Images for kids
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This animated sequence shows how S/2004 S 3 was discovered by Cassini on June 21, 2004.
See also
In Spanish: S/2004 S 3 para niños
