Bebhionn (moon)
Bebhionn (/ˈbeɪvɪn, ˈbɛviɒn/), also known as Saturn XXXVII, is a small, irregular natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, Jan Kleyna, and Brian G. Marsden on 4 May 2005 from observations taken between 12 December 2004 and 9 March 2005.
Bebhionn imaged by the Cassini spacecraft in May 2017 | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Scott S. Sheppard David C. Jewitt Jan T. Kleyna Brian G. Marsden |
| Discovery date | 2004 |
| Designations | |
Designation | Saturn XXXVII |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbeɪvɪn, ˈbɛviɒn/ BAY-vin, BEV-ee-on |
Named after | Béibhinn |
Alternative names | S/2004 S 11 |
| Orbital characteristics | |
Semi-major axis | 17119000 km |
| Eccentricity | 0.469 |
Orbital period (sidereal) | −834.8 days |
| Inclination | 35.01° |
| Satellite of | Saturn |
| Group | Gallic group |
| Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 6+50% −30% km |
Synodic rotation period | 16.33±0.03 h |
| Albedo | 0.06 (assumed) |
| 24.1 | |
| 15.0 | |
Bebhionn is about 6 kilometres in diameter and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 16,898 Mm in 820.130 days at an inclination of 41° to the ecliptic (18° to Saturn's equator) and with an eccentricity of 0.333. The rotation period of Bebhionn was measured at 16.33±0.03 hours by the ISS camera of the Cassini spacecraft. Bebhionn's light curve reflects an elongated shape with large variations in brightness, making it a leading candidate for a contact binary or binary moon.