Mimas (moon)
Mimas (from the Greek Μίμᾱς) is one of Saturn's largest moons. It is also called Saturn I. Mimas is best known for its large crater, Herschel. In the centre of the crater is a very high mountain. Mimas was discovered by the English astronomer William Herschel on September 17, 1789.[1] It resembles the Death Star from Star Wars. The moon is believed to have created the Cassini Division.[2] This is a 4,800 km gap between Saturn's A and B rings.[2]
Discovery and naming
Mimas was discovered in 1789 by William Herschel. He discovered it on September 17. Herschel discovered it along with another Saturnian moon, Enceladus Mimas was named after one of the Titans in mythology. Mimas was the giant.
Surface
Mimas is full with craters like our Moon. But unlike the craters on the Moon, Mimas has icy craters like going through an icy object. Mimas has craters, but the most famous is the Herschel crater. It is 130 km (80 mi) in diameter. The diameter of Herschel is about 1/3 of Mimas. If a comet or asteroid that hit Mimas were to hit Earth, the crater would be seen from space with all the Earth shown in view. Mimas would evaporate away if it was too close to the Sun.
Exploration
Mimas has been visited by 4 or 5 spacecrafts.
Mimas (moon) Media
William Herschel, discoverer of Mimas
John Herschel, the astronomer who suggested that the moons of Saturn be named after the Titans and Giants
Size comparison between Mimas (lower left), the Moon (upper left) and Earth
A high-relief image of Mimas by Cassini on January 30, 2017. The shapes and the texture of its many overlapping craters can clearly be seen.
A temperature map overlay of Mimas that looks like Pac-Man
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References
- ↑ "NASA: Solar System Exploration: Planets: Saturn: Moons: Mimas". Archived from the original on 2007-08-01. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 How it Works Book of Space. Imagine Publishing. 2010. p. 114. ISBN 9781906078829.