Iapetus



This is an image of Iapetus.
Click on image for full size version (23K JPG)
Image from: NASA
Iapetus was discovered by G. Cassini in 1672. Iapetus is the 2nd farthest moon from Saturn, with a standoff distance of 3,561,300 km. Iapetus is one of the icy moons, similar to the Galilean satellites. Iapetus is about as wide as California is long, 1440 km, or 960 miles, which makes it about the same size as Rhea, a moderately large icy moon.

Iapetus is very much like Rhea, Enceladus, Dione, and Tethys except that it looks completely different. In fact, Iapetus is unique, and does not look like any other object in the solar system in that its surface appears to be half dark and half bright.

Table of moons

Comparison of Iapetus and Earth's moon

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Iapetus



This is an image of Iapetus.
Click on image for full size version (23K JPG)
Image from: NASA
Iapetus was discovered by G. Cassini in 1672. Iapetus is the 2nd farthest moon from Saturn, with a standoff distance of 3,561,300 km. Iapetus is one of the icy moons, similar to the Galilean satellites. Iapetus is about as wide as California is long, 1440 km, or 960 miles, which makes it about the same size as Rhea, a moderately large icy moon.

Iapetus is very much like Rhea, Enceladus, Dione, and Tethys except that it looks completely different. In fact, Iapetus is unique, and does not look like any other object in the solar system in that its surface appears to be half dark and half bright.

Table of moons

Comparison of Iapetus and Earth's moon

Return to moons


Iapetus



This is an image of Iapetus.
Click on image for full size version (23K JPG)
Image from: NASA
Iapetus was discovered by G. Cassini in 1672. Iapetus is the 2nd farthest moon from Saturn. Iapetus is one of the icy moons of Saturn. Iapetus is about as wide as California is long.

Iapetus is very much like Rhea, Enceladus, Dione, and Tethys except that it looks completely different. It looks half dark and half bright.

Table of moons

Comparison of Iapetus and Earth's moon

Return to moons



Last modified January 19, 2001 by the Windows Team

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