Iapetus, moon

Iapetus

Iapetus (/aɪˈæpɨtəs/; Greek: Ιαπετός), or occasionally Japetus /ˈdʒæpɨtəs/,is the third-largest natural satellite of Saturn, eleventh-largest in the Sol System, and the largest body in the Sol System known not to be in hydrostatic equilibrium. Iapetus is best known for its dramatic 'two-tone' coloration, but discoveries by the Cassini mission in 2007 have revealed several other unusual features, such as a massive equatorial ridge that runs three quarters of the way around Iapetus.

Naming
Iapetus is named after the Titan Iapetus from Greek mythology. The name was suggested by John Herschel (son of William Herschel, discoverer of Mimas and Enceladus ) in his 1847 publication Results of Astronomical Observations made at the Cape of Good Hope, in which he advocated naming the moons of Saturn after the Titans, brothers and sisters of the Titan Cronus (whom the Romans equated with their god Saturn).



History & Community


Records as who stepped on the surface first have been lost, but it scholars and historians believe it was Commander Anastasia Tchenkov of the 2nd mission to the Saturn moons in 2122. Colonists arrived in 2124 and founded the Giovanni settlment in the Falsaron crater.

Core Industry was mining for minerals and rare earth.

Rare Earth processing and refining is still the main industry, even though material containig raw earths is now mostly imported.

The expertise of the local industries and the high grade earths they produce makes the moon even today an important industrial center.

Raw Earth Refining Inc. is still the largest employer with a sizeable Research and Development department.

About 8 Million live and work on the moon.

Iapetus is not independetly represented but belongs to the Saturn Moon Association.

Main imports are ores and minerals that contain rare Earths., Groceries, tech

Main exports: High quality praseodymium, cerium , lanthanum , neodymium , samarium , and gadolinium.





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