Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | B. J. Gladman et al. |
Designations | |
S/2000 S 5, Saturn XXIV | |
Adjectives | Kiviup |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch 2000 Feb. 26.00 | |
11.111 Gm | |
Eccentricity | 0.3288 |
449.22 d (1.23 yr) |
|
Inclination | 45.71 |
Physical characteristics | |
Dimensions | 16 km |
21 h 49 min | |
Albedo | 0.04assumed |
Spectral type
|
B−V=0.87 R−V=0.66/0.48 D-type |
Kiviuq (/ˈkɪvi.ʌk/ KIV-ee-uk or /ˈkiːvi.oʊk/ KEE-vee-ohk) is a prograde irregular satellite of Saturn. It was discovered by Brett J. Gladman in 2000, and given the temporary designation S/2000 S 5. It was named after Kiviuq, a hero of Inuit mythology.
Kiviuq is about 16 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 11.1 million kilometers in 450 days. It is a member of the Inuit group of irregular satellites. It is light red, and the Kiviupian (Kiviuqan) infrared spectrum is very similar to the Inuit-group satellites Siarnaq and Paaliaq, supporting the thesis of a possible common origin of the Inuit group in the break-up of a larger body.