Siarnaq

Siarnaq

Siarnaq (/ˈsiːɑːrnɑːk/ SEE-ar-nahk), or Saturn XXIX, is a prograde irregular satellite of Saturn. It was discovered by Brett J. Gladman, et al. in 2000,  and given the temporary designation S/2000 S 3. Named after the giant Siarnaq of Inuit mythology,  it is the largest member of the Inuit group of irregular satellites.

Siarnaq has been found to be in a secular resonance with Saturn, involving the precession of its periapsis and that of the planet. The studies of these resonances are key to understand the capture mechanism for the irregular satellites and, assuming a common origin of a given dynamical group in the break-up of a single body, to explain today's dispersion of the orbital elements.

The moon was physically surveyed during the Greater Solar System Survey Project (Phase IV) which included a detailed survey of all the smaller Saturn and Jupiter moons. (2115 - 2121 ) Siarnaq was one of the first moons during the IVth phase of the GSSSP to be surveyed in detail. It has a colorful history in terms of United Earth history and was first utilized as a United Earth Sol Guard outpost and training base. It eventually became a traffic hub for Saturn and Saturn orbit objects. The moon remains to be a traffic hub with connections to Sol Hub, Earth Torus , TNO Hub and Oort Cloud Station. Since 5017 OTT, there is a Transmatter Tunnel connection to Sol Hub. Siarnaq features a Class C spaceport and there is a Spacebus stop

Discovered by    Brett J. Gladman et al. Discovery date    in 2000 Designations Alternative names S/2000 S 3 Saturn XXIX Orbital characteristics Epoch 2000 Feb. 26.00 Semi-major axis 17.531 Gm Eccentricity    0.2961 Orbital period 895.55 d (2.45 yr) Inclination    46.0° Physical characteristics Dimensions    40 km Rotation period 10 h 09 m Albedo    0.04 (assumed) Spectral type light red B−V=0.87, R−V=0.48