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Explanation: Small saturnian moon Epimetheus (ep-ee-MEE-thee-us) is at most 116 kilometers across. Its cratered surface and irregular shape are highlighted by dramatic shadows in this composite close-up image from the Cassini spacecraft. However, orbiting 91,000 kilometers above Saturn's cloud tops, Epimetheus is not alone. Similar in size, saturnian moon Janus occupies an orbit separated from Epimetheus' by only about 50 kilometers. The two actually approach each other once every four years, but instead of colliding, the moons deftly exchange orbits and move apart again! In fact, co-orbiting Epimetheus and Janus both consist mostly of porous water ice and could have formed from the breakup of a single parent body. The small moons are also believed to play a role in maintaining the outer edge of Saturn's A ring.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Moon - Epimetheus - Janus
Publications with words: Moon - Epimetheus - Janus
See also:
- APOD: 2025 June 28 Á Lunar Farside
- APOD: 2025 June 20 Á Major Lunar Standstill 2024 2025
- APOD: 2025 June 18 Á Space Station Silhouette on the Moon
- APOD: 2025 April 22 Á Terminator Moon: A Moonscape of Shadows
- Moon Near the Edge
- APOD: 2025 April 8 Á Moon Visits Sister Stars
- APOD: 2025 April 6 Á Moonquakes Surprisingly Common