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Encyclopedia > Saturn > Satellites > Helene et Polydeuces

HELENE AND POLYDEUCES : SATELLITES OF SATURN



 
Credit : NASA/ESA
Helene seen by Voyager (left) and by Cassini (right).


Helene or S/1980 S6 (Saturn XII) was discovered by Laques and Lecacheux in 1980. It rotates on the same orbit that Dione at Lagrange point L4 60° ahead of Dione.

Polydeuces or S/2004 S5 (Saturn XXXIV) was discovered on images of Cassini. It rotates on the same orbit as Dione at Lagrange point L5 60° late from Dione.



  
Helene Polydeuces
distance to Saturn  377 400 km  377 400 km
average size  32 km  4 km
visual magnitude   17.0 ?
revolution period 2.735 days 2.735 days
inclination of the orbit 
on the equator of Saturn
0.212°
eccentricity of the orbit 0.0 0.0
density (water=1)   ?  ?

Origin of name : click here.