Skathi (moon) facts for kids

Skathi, also known as Saturn XXVII, is one of the many moons orbiting the giant planet Saturn. Scientists discovered this moon in the year 2000. It was first called S/2000 S 8.

Skathi is a small moon, only about 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) wide. It travels around Saturn very far away, about 15.5 million kilometers (9.6 million miles). One full trip around Saturn takes Skathi about 726 Earth days.

This moon's path around Saturn is quite tilted. It also has an unusual, oval-shaped orbit.

Discovery and Orbit

Scientists like Brett Gladman and John J. Kavelaars found Skathi in 2000. They used powerful telescopes to spot it. Its first temporary name was S/2000 S 8.

Skathi orbits Saturn at an average distance of 15,576,000 kilometers. It takes 725.784 days to complete one orbit. Its orbit is tilted by 149 degrees compared to the ecliptic, which is the plane where Earth orbits the Sun. Its orbit is also quite oval-shaped, which scientists call an eccentricity of 0.246.

Origin of Skathi

Scientists believe Skathi might have formed from pieces of another moon called Phoebe. Long ago, big impacts likely hit Phoebe. These impacts could have knocked off debris that later formed Skathi and other moons in the area.

What's in a Name?

Skathi gets its name from Norse mythology. In these old stories, Skaði is a powerful giantess. She is known as a goddess of winter, skiing, and hunting. She is also the wife of the god Njord.

Images for kids

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  An animation of the three images that first depicted Skathi, taken on September 23, 2000.

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  A diagram of Saturn's moons showing orbital distances and inclinations. Skathi is included in the Norse group, colored in gray.

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  The brightest object in this gif is thought to be Skathi, shown moving against the background stars.

See also

In Spanish: Skadi (satélite) para niños