Discovery [1] | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Brett J. Gladman et al. |
Discovered | in 2000 |
Mean orbital elements [2] | |
Epoch 2000 Feb. 26.00 | |
Semi-major axis | 15.200 Gm |
Eccentricity | 0.3631 |
Inclination | 45.083° * |
Orbital period | 686.9 d (1.88 yr) |
Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 22 km[3] ** |
Albedo | 0.04 [3] assumed |
Color | red B-V=0.86 R-V=0.40[4] |
Spectral type | D[4] |
|
Paaliaq (Template:PronEng PAH-lee-ahk) is a prograde irregular satellite of Saturn. It was discovered by Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, Hans Scholl, Matthew J. Holman, Brian G. Marsden, Philip D. Nicholson and Joseph A. Burns in early October 2000[5][6], and given the temporary designation S/2000 S 2. It was named in August 2003 after a fictional shaman in the book The Curse of the Shaman, written by Michael Kusugak, who supplied Kavelaars with the names of giants from Inuit mythology that were used for other Saturnian moons.
Paaliaq is thought to be about 22 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 15.2 Gm in 687 days. It is a member of the Inuit group of irregular satellites. It also has a proximity with 9 other moons reaching up to ten miles from each.
Together with Kiviuq and Siarnaq, Paaliaq displays light-red colours and similar infrared spectrum, further supporting the thesis of a possible common origin of the Inuit group in the break-up of a larger body[4][7].