Polydeuces (moon)

Polydeuces is a small, irregularly shaped moon of Saturn. It is also designated Saturn XXXIV. It is co-orbital with the moon Dione, residing in the trailing Lagrangian point (L5) of Dione's orbit. This means that Polydeuces orbits Saturn approximately 60 degrees behind Dione.

Discovery and Naming:

Polydeuces was discovered on October 24, 2004, by the Cassini Imaging Team, using images taken by the Cassini spacecraft. Its name is derived from Polydeuces (also known as Pollux), the twin brother of Castor in Greek mythology. Castor and Pollux are associated with the two co-orbital moons Dione and Helene, leading to the naming of Polydeuces in a similar vein.

Orbital Characteristics:

Polydeuces' orbital period is the same as Dione's (approximately 2.7 Earth days), as they are co-orbital. However, Polydeuces exhibits significant librations (oscillations) around its Lagrangian point, with large variations in both its longitude and radius from Dione. These oscillations are much more pronounced than those of Helene, the moon co-orbital with Dione in its leading Lagrangian point (L4).

Physical Characteristics:

Polydeuces is a small moon, with an estimated diameter of only about 2-3 kilometers. Due to its small size and distance, little is known about its surface composition or features. It is presumed to be composed primarily of ice, similar to other moons in the Saturnian system.