Febo, the old moon of Saturn

2004/06/30 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Astronomia

According to measurements made with the NASA Cassini probe, the Febo satellite comes from the Kuiper belt, the asteroid belt located at the limit of the solar system. In fact, the composition and density of the satellite correspond to objects that appear to be on Kuiper's belt and not to the rest of Saturn's satellites.

Thus, Febo, which has more than four million years of existence, stands beside him since the time when Saturn was forming.

The Cassini probe made these measurements on June 11, two thousand kilometers from Febo. But Cassin has followed his journey and tomorrow it is planned to put him in the orbit of Saturn.

Photo: Andén.