Hyperion - NASA Science (2024)

Hyperion rotates chaotically, tumbling unpredictably through space as it orbits Saturn. Hyperion orbits at a mean distance of 933,000 miles (1,500,000 kilometers) from Saturn in an eccentric orbit. This contributes to variations in the spin or rotation of Hyperion. A stronger effect on Hyperion's rotation is that it is in resonance with Saturn's largest moon, Titan, which orbits at 759,200 miles (1,221,850 kilometers). Thus, the two objects speed up and slow down as they pass each other in a complex set of variations. Because Hyperion is much smaller than Titan, its rotation and orbit are affected vastly more than the larger moon, and Titan apparently keeps the Hyperion orbit eccentric rather than growing more circular over time.

Hyperion - NASA Science (2024)

FAQs

Hyperion - NASA Science? ›

Hyperion is the largest of Saturn's irregular, nonspherical moons. Hyperion's mean radius is 83.9 miles (135 kilometers), but since Hyperion is rather potato-shaped, its shape can be described in terms of its diameter along its three axes: 255 x 163 x 137 miles (410 x 260 x 220 kilometers, respectively).

What is unusual about Hyperion? ›

Chaotically tumbling and seriously eroded by impacts, Hyperion is one of Saturn's more unusual satellites. Scientists believe the moon to be quite porous, with a great deal of its volume being empty space. Impact blasted Hyperion is 280 kilometers (174 miles) across.

Is Hyperion geologically active? ›

As you can see, Hyperion is very heavily cratered, with little, if any in the way of more recent geological activity present. It is likely to be a huge frozen ball of ice with a little rock.

What is Hyperion in astronomy? ›

Hyperion /haɪˈpɪəriən/, also known as Saturn VII, is the eighth-largest moon of Saturn. It distinguished by its highly irregular shape, chaotic rotation, low density, and its unusual sponge-like appearance. It was the first non-rounded moon to be discovered.

Is Hyperion larger than mercury? ›

Hyperion is one of the 62 known satellites of Saturn, the “Ringed Planet”. These moons have sizes ranging from less than a kilometer to the 5,151-km Titan, which is larger than planet Mercury. Despite its modest , 270-km size, Hyperion captures attention with its bizarre features.

How was Hyperion killed? ›

After decimating the Exiles team in combat, Hyperion was finally injured by Blink who using her powers to cause Hyperion to blast himself with his heat vision. This crippled Hyperion allowing Gambit to use the fallen Magik's sword to destroy him.

What is an interesting fact about Hyperion? ›

Hyperion differs from most moons because it is not a spheroid. The potato-shaped satellite has three axes, which are 255 by 163 by 137 miles (410 by 260 by 220 kilometers), making it the largest known irregular-shaped moon in the solar system.

Who is stronger, Hyperion or Superman? ›

Based on that alone, the two are more likely to be allies than enemies, but if a fight is unavoidable, Hyperion would have a slight edge just by virtue of ruthlessness. Still, Superman has beaten the odds plenty of times in the past, so this fight could truly go either way.

What is Hyperion the god of? ›

What is Hyperion the god of? Hyperion is the Titan god of heavenly light and watchfulness. He is also considered one of the four pillars of the cosmos and the father of the lights of heaven, including the Dawn, Sun, and Moon.

Does Hyperion have water? ›

Many of the crater walls on Hyperion are bright, which suggests an abundance of water ice. The crater floors are mostly the areas of the lowest albedo (a measure of how reflective the surface is) and greatest red coloration.

Is Hyperion from Earth? ›

In Greek mythology, Hyperion (/haɪˈpɪəriən/; Greek: Ὑπερίων, 'he who goes before') was one of the twelve Titan children of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky). With his sister, the Titaness Theia, Hyperion fathered Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon) and Eos (Dawn). This article contains special characters.

Is Hyperion the sun? ›

He was the father of the sun, the moon, and the dawn. In some early texts, the sun is mentioned as Helios Hyperion; however, in later texts, including Homer's and Hesiod's writings, Hyperion and Helios are two different deities, the latter being a physical representation of the sun.

What is the purpose of Hyperion? ›

The Hyperion solution helps companies large and small optimize and improve their financial close with detailed functional support for complex consolidations, intercompany eliminations, currency analysis, close process management, and data collection.

Is Hyperion tidally locked? ›

Hyperion, together with Pluto's moons Nix and Hydra, is among only a few moons in the Solar System known to rotate chaotically, although it is expected to be common in binary asteroids. It is also the only regular planetary natural satellite in the Solar System known not to be tidally locked.

Is Hyperion a major moon? ›

Hyperion, major moon of Saturn, notable in that it has no regular rotation period but tumbles in an apparently random fashion in its orbit. Hyperion was discovered in 1848 by the American astronomers William Bond and George Bond and independently by the English astronomer William Lassell.

Why do we only see one side of the moon NASA? ›

We only ever see one side of the Moon from Earth. That's because the interplay of gravity between Earth and Moon slows the Moon into a rotation that paces its own. The Moon rotates, but it rotates at the same speed that it orbits around Earth. This keeps the same side always turned toward us.

What is special about Hyperion? ›

Hyperion is the largest of Saturn's irregular, nonspherical moons. Hyperion's mean radius is 83.9 miles (135 kilometers), but since Hyperion is rather potato-shaped, its shape can be described in terms of its diameter along its three axes: 255 x 163 x 137 miles (410 x 260 x 220 kilometers, respectively).

What was Hyperion known for? ›

What is Hyperion the god of? Hyperion is the Titan god of heavenly light and watchfulness. He is also considered one of the four pillars of the cosmos and the father of the lights of heaven, including the Dawn, Sun, and Moon.

What is the big mistake in Hyperion? ›

The Big Mistake was the creation of a black hole on Earth by the Kiev Team, which led to the destruction of Earth. It started the Hegira. It occurred in '08, as noted in Endymion. It's been hinted the Big Mistake was actually staged by the Techno Core in The Fall Of Hyperion.

Is Hyperion evil Greek mythology? ›

Hyperion was cruel and arrogant, like all of his brothers. Hyperion, however, seemed particularly brutal, like his brother Kronos, and had no qualms about helping re-imprison his Elder Cyclopes and Hekatonkheires brothers in Tartarus yet again, as he viewed them as repulsive and inferior to his Titan race.

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