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Albiorix - Saturn XXVI
Discovery [1]
Discovered by Holman et al.
Discovered in 2000
Mean Orbital elements [2]
Epoch 2000 Feb. 26.00
Semi-major axis 16.182 Gm
Eccentricity 0.4770
Inclination 34.207° *
Orbital period 783 d
(2.15 yr)
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter 32 km[3] **
Rotation period ?
Albedo 0.04 [3] assumed
Color light red (varying)
B-V=0.89 R-V=0.50[4]
Spectral type ?
*to the ecliptic **based on the albedo
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Albiorix (IPA: [ælˈbaiʊrɪks]) is a prograde irregular satellite of Saturn. It was discovered by Holman, et al. in 2000, and given the temporary designation S/2000 S 11. [5] Albiorix is the largest member of the Gallic group of irregular satellites. Its name derives from one of the Celtic names for the god of tribal unity, better known as Toutatis.

Irregular prograde groups of satellites of Saturn: Gallic (red) and Inuit (blue)
Irregular prograde groups of satellites of Saturn: Gallic (red) and Inuit (blue)

Albiorix orbits Saturn at a distance of about 16 Gm and it's diameter is estimated at 32 kilometers, assuming an albedo of 0.04.

The diagram illustrates its orbit in relation to other prograde irregular satellites of Saturn. The eccentricity of the orbits is represented by the yellow segments extending from the pericentre to the apocentre.

Given the similarity of the orbit's elements and the homogeneity of the physical characteristics with other members of the Gallic group, it was suggested that these satellites could have a common origin in the break-up of a larger moon.[5][4]

Varying colours revealed recently, suggest a possibility of a large crater, leading to an alternative hypothesis that Erriapo and Tarvos could be fragments of Albiorix following a near break-up collision with another body.[6]

[edit] Polar test

Irregular prograde groups of satellites of Saturn: Gallic (red) and Inuit (blue)
Irregular prograde groups of satellites of Saturn: Gallic (red) and Inuit (blue)

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Discovery Circumstances (JPL)
  2. ^ Mean orbital parameters from JPL
  3. ^ a b Scott Sheppard pages
  4. ^ a b Grav, Tommy; Holman; B. Gladman; Aksnes, Kaare Photometric survey of the irregular satellites, Icarus, 166,(2003), pp. 33-45. Preprint
  5. ^ a b B. Gladman, P. Nicholson, Burns, JJ Kavelaars, Brian G. Marsden, Holman, Grav T. et al. Discovery of 12 satellites of Saturn exhibiting orbital clustering., Nature, 412 (2001), p. 163
  6. ^ Tommy Grav and James Bauer A deeper look at the colors of Saturnian irregular satellites, Preprint