Hyperion
Hyperion is a moon of Saturn discovered by William Cranch Bond, George Phillips Bond and William Lassell in 1848. It is named after Hyperion, a Titan in Greek mythology. It has a low density indicating that it is composed largely of water ice with a small amount of rock. It is covered by at least a thin layer of dark material. Hyperion is one of the largest highly irregular bodies in the Solar System. The largest crater on Hyperion is approximately 120 km in diameter.
Hydrocarbons found on Hyperion
- [5 Jul 2007] NASA's Cassini spacecraft has revealed for the first time surface details of Saturn's moon Hyperion, including cup-like craters filled with hydrocarbons that may indicate more widespread presence in our solar system of basic chemicals necessary for life. Hyperion yielded some of its secrets to the battery of instruments aboard Cassini as the spacecraft flew close by in September 2005. Water and carbon dioxide ices were found, as well as dark material that fits the spectral profile of hydrocarbons... - full story