Helene

Helene is a moon of Saturn, discovered by Pierre Laques and Jean Lecacheux in 1980 from ground-based observations at Pic du Midi Observatory, and was given the temporary designation S/1980 S 6. In the following years it was lost and not recovered until 1988, when it was officially named after Helen of Troy, who was the granddaughter of Cronus (Saturn) in Greek mythology. Helene is one of four known trojan moons, which are moons that share an orbit with a larger moon. In Helene's case, it shares its orbit with Dione.

Discovery and naming

Helene was discovered by Pierre Laques and Jean Lecacheux in 1980 from ground-based observations at Pic du Midi Observatory, and was given the temporary designation S/1980 S 6. In the following years it was lost and not recovered until 1988, when it was officially named after Helen of Troy, who was the granddaughter of Cronus (Saturn) in Greek mythology.

Orbit and rotation

Helene is one of four known trojan moons, which are moons that share an orbit with a larger moon. In Helene's case, it shares its orbit with Dione. It is located in Dione's leading Lagrangian point (L4), 60 degrees ahead of Dione in its orbit.

Physical characteristics

Helene is an irregular shape, measuring 36 × 32 × 30 km, and has a very bright surface that is possibly made up of water ice. Its mass is not well known, but likely in the range of 1×10^17 to 2×10^17 kg.

Exploration

Helene has been imaged several times from moderate distances by the Cassini spacecraft. A close flyby occurred on March 3, 2010, when Cassini passed within 1,800 km of Helene.

See also

• Moons of Saturn
• Trojan moon

Helene Resources
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