Surtur

Also known as Saturn XLVIII, S/2006 S 7, Saturn XLVIII Surtur

moon of Saturn

Key facts

Discovered by: Scott S. Sheppard , David C. Jewitt , Jan T. Kleyna , Brian G. Marsden
Discovery date: 26 June 2006
Designation: Saturn XLVIII
Pronunciation: / ˈ s ɜːr t ər / or / ˈ s ʊər t ər /
Named after: Surt
Alternative names: S/2006 S 7
Adjectives: Surtian / ˈ s ɜːr t i ə n /
Semi major axis: 22 707 000 km
Orbital period sidereal: −1297.7 days
Inclination: 177.5°
Satellite of: Saturn
Group: Norse group
Mean diameter

Article

Surtur /ˈsɜːrtər/ or Saturn XLVIII (provisional designation S/2006 S 7) is a natural satellite of Saturn. Its discovery was announced by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, Jan Kleyna, and Brian G. Marsden on June 26, 2006 from observations taken between January and April 2006. It was named after Surt, a leader of the fire giants of Norse mythology.

Surtur is about 4 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 22.707 Mm in 1297.7 days. The Surtian orbit is retrograde, at an inclination of 177.5° to the ecliptic and with an eccentricity of 0.451.