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Iapetus (moon)
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Iapetus is the outermost of Saturn's large moons. With an estimated diameter of 1,469 km, it is the third-largest moon of Saturn and the eleventh-largest in the Solar System. Named after the Titan Iap
Iapetus in true color, as imaged by the Cassini orbiter in September 2007. Iapetus's unusual two-tone coloration can be seen, along with its massive e
Iapetus in true color, as imaged by the Cassini orbiter in September 2007. Iapetus's unusual two-tone coloration can be seen, along with its massive equatorial ridge on the right limb.
Giovanni Domenico Cassini, discoverer of Iapetus
Giovanni Domenico Cassini, discoverer of Iapetus
Side view of Iapetus's orbit (red) compared to the other large moons, showing its unusually high inclination
Side view of Iapetus's orbit (red) compared to the other large moons, showing its unusually high inclination
Size comparison between Iapetus (lower left), the Moon (upper left) and Earth
Size comparison between Iapetus (lower left), the Moon (upper left) and Earth
Equatorial ridge on Iapetus
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Iapetus, Saturn's third-largest moon, has a 20 kilometer tall equatorial ridge. The ridge runs along most of Iapetus's equator, and is the third tallest mountain structure in the Solar System. First d
Iapetus (moon)
…features, such as a striking difference in coloration between its dark leading hemisphere and its bright trailing hemisphere, as well as a massive equatorial ridge that runs three-quarters of the way around the moon. Iapetus was discovered by Giovanni Domenico Cassini, an Italian-born French astronomer, in October…
Iapetus's equatorial ridge up close as imaged by Cassini
Iapetus's equatorial ridge up close as imaged by Cassini
This series of images of Iapetus' north pole by Voyager 2 became the first-ever hints on the existence of the moon's equatorial ridge. The white and g
This series of images of Iapetus' north pole by Voyager 2 became the first-ever hints on the existence of the moon's equatorial ridge. The white and grey dots below each images (Iapetus' equator) will later be revealed to be Carcassone Montes (Voyager Montes) by Cassini. Taken on August 22, 1981.
A global view of Iapetus obtained by the Cassini spacecraft on Dec. 31, 2004 - the first-ever clear image of the ridge - at a distance of about 172,90
A global view of Iapetus obtained by the Cassini spacecraft on Dec. 31, 2004 - the first-ever clear image of the ridge - at a distance of about 172,900 kilometers (107,435 miles). The massive structure clearly distorts the shape of the moon at the equator.