Mundilfari

Mundilfari

Mundilfari, classified as an irregular moon of Saturn, is a member of the Norse group of satellites. Its discovery in 2000 by astronomers utilizing the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope resulted in its name being drawn from Norse mythology—a reference to a giant associated with time measurement. Mundilfari's irregular orbit, marked by eccentricity and inclination, distinguishes it from Saturn's larger regular moons, which adhere to orbits closer to the planet's equatorial plane. As part of the Norse group, alongside moons like Skathi and Hyrrokkin, Mundilfari shares similar orbital characteristics, hinting at a conceivable shared origin, possibly linked to the fragmentation of a larger moon. However, due to its significant distance from Earth and limited observational data, substantial details regarding Mundilfari's physical attributes, including size, composition, and surface features, remain veiled. Like other irregular moons, Mundilfari is believed to have been captured by Saturn's gravitational influence, likely originating from the outer solar system.