Hyperion (moon)

Hyperion (hye-peer'-ee-un, Greek ????????) is a moon of Saturn discovered by William Cranch Bond, George Phillips Bond and William Lassell in 1848. It is distinguished by its irregular shape, its chaotic rotation, and its unexplained sponge-like appearance.

Name

The moon is named after Hyperion, a Titan in Greek mythology. It is also designated Saturn VII.

Related Topics:
Hyperion - Titan - Greek mythology

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Hyperion's discovery came shortly after John Herschel had suggested names for the seven previously-known satellites of Saturn in his 1847 publication Results of Astronomical Observations made at the Cape of Good Hope (http://adsabs.harvard.edu//full/seri/MNRAS/0008//0000042.000.html). Lassell, who saw Hyperion two days after the Bonds, had already endorsed Herschel's naming scheme and suggested the name Hyperion in accordance with it. He also beat the Bonds to publication.

Related Topics:
John Herschel - 1847

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