Janus and Epimetheus: The Dancing Moons of Saturn

The video explores the historical connection between astronomy and music, focusing on the unique orbital dance of Saturn's moons Janus and Epimetheus. Discovered in the 1960s, these moons share a 1:1 resonance, switching orbits every four years. Cassini's observations in 2006 provided detailed insights into their behavior and characteristics. The video is supported by Brilliant, an online learning platform offering interactive STEM courses.

What unique feature do the moons Janus and Epimetheus exhibit in their orbit around Saturn?

• They switch orbits every four years.

• They collide every decade.

• They orbit in opposite directions.

• They have the same size.

Who discovered the moon Janus, and when?

• Richard Walker in 1966

• Andouin Dollfus in 1966

• Galileo Galilei in 1610

• Voyager 1 in 1980

What did the Voyager 1 spacecraft confirm about Janus and Epimetheus?

• They have no craters.

• They are larger than Jupiter.

• They are two separate moons.

• They are the same moon.

What is a 1:1 resonance in the context of celestial bodies?

• Two objects orbiting at the same distance from a planet.

• Two objects with the same mass.

• Two objects colliding in space.

• Two objects orbiting in opposite directions.

How do Janus and Epimetheus differ in size?

• Janus is larger than Epimetheus.

• Epimetheus is larger than Janus.

• They are the same size.

• Janus is twice the size of Epimetheus.

What happens when Epimetheus catches up to Janus in their orbital dance?

• Epimetheus slows down and moves closer to Saturn.

• Janus speeds up and moves further from Saturn.

• Epimetheus speeds up and its orbit gets larger.

• Janus and Epimetheus collide.

How often do Janus and Epimetheus switch their orbits?

• Every year

• Every two years

• Every four years

• Every decade

What did the Cassini spacecraft reveal about Janus and Epimetheus?

• They are piles of rocky rubble.

• They are made of ice.

• They have no craters.

• They are larger than Earth.

What might have caused the faint ring found by Cassini around Saturn?

• Volcanic eruptions on Saturn

• Solar winds

• Magnetic fields

• Impacts on Janus and Epimetheus

What message do Janus and Epimetheus convey from the cosmos?

• Saturn is the largest planet.

• Moons are always stationary.

• Space rocks can dance.

• All moons are identical.