Concept information
Preferred term
Janus
Definition
- Janus is an inner moon of Saturn. It was discovered on 15 December 1966, by Audouin Dollfus and is also known as Saturn X. It is nearly co-orbital (shares its orbit) with Epimetheus and is located between Saturn's F- and G-rings. Because Janus and Epimetheus differ in their orbital radii by only 50 km, their orbital velocities are very nearly equal and the lower, faster one gradually catches up and overtakes the other. As the moons approach each other they exchange a small amount of momentum as a result of which the lower one is boosted into a higher orbit while the higher one drops to a lower orbit. This exchange of places happens about once every four years. (Encyclopedia of Science, by David Darling, https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/J/Janus.html)
Broader concept
Entry terms
- Saturn X
In other languages
-
French
-
Saturne X
URI
http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-KGC4HG3D-B
{{label}}
{{#each values }} {{! loop through ConceptPropertyValue objects }}
{{#if prefLabel }}
{{/if}}
{{/each}}
{{#if notation }}{{ notation }} {{/if}}{{ prefLabel }}
{{#ifDifferentLabelLang lang }} ({{ lang }}){{/ifDifferentLabelLang}}
{{#if vocabName }}
{{ vocabName }}
{{/if}}