Pallene is a small moon of the planet Saturn, discovered in 2004 by the imaging team of the Cassini-Huygens Mission. Here are some detailed facts and context regarding Pallene:
- Discovery: Pallene was discovered on June 1, 2004, by the Cassini Imaging Team through images taken by the Cassini spacecraft. The discovery was announced in 2006 after sufficient observations confirmed its orbit.
- Physical Characteristics:
- Diameter: Approximately 4 kilometers.
- It has an irregular shape, common among small moons due to their low gravity.
- Its surface appears to be composed of water ice, typical for moons of Saturn.
- Orbital Properties:
- Pallene orbits Saturn at an average distance of about 212,280 kilometers, placing it within the E-ring of Saturn, which is primarily composed of ice particles.
- It takes about 27.74 hours to complete one orbit around Saturn.
- Its orbit is slightly eccentric and inclined by about 0.18 degrees to Saturn's equatorial plane.
- Relation to Other Moons:
- Pallene is part of the Alkyonides group, which also includes the moons Methone and Anthe. These moons are known for their association with the E-ring and their possible role in its formation and maintenance.
- The discovery of Pallene has helped in understanding the dynamics of the E-ring and its interaction with Saturn's moons.
- Scientific Interest:
- Scientists are interested in Pallene because it might be contributing material to Saturn's E-ring through micrometeoroid impacts or through the release of ice particles from its surface.
- It also provides insight into the formation and evolutionary processes of small moons in planetary rings.
External Links:
Related Topics: