Discovery Epimetheus (moon)

epimetheus

epimetheus occupies same orbit moon janus. astronomers assumed there 1 body in orbit (they not believe 2 moons share identical orbits without colliding), , accordingly had difficulty determining orbital characteristics. observations photographic , spaced apart in time, while presence of 2 objects not obvious, observations difficult reconcile reasonable orbit.

audouin dollfus observed moon on 15 december 1966, proposed named janus . on 18 december, richard walker made similar observation credited discovery of epimetheus. however, @ time, believed there 1 moon, unofficially known janus , in given orbit.

twelve years later, in october 1978, stephen m. larson , john w. fountain realised 1966 observations best explained 2 distinct objects (janus , epimetheus) sharing similar orbits. confirmed in 1980 voyager 1, , larson , fountain officially share discovery of epimetheus walker.

epimetheus received name in 1983. name janus approved iau @ same time, although name had been used informally since dollfus proposed shortly after 1966 discovery.

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