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Telesto

Telesto

Moons - Telesto Return to Moons page Click here to return to Saturn's Moons page

Smooth Surface of Telesto
Telesto Multimedia GalleryLink to 'Telesto Multimedia Gallery'
Telesto [tah-LESS-toh] is known as a "Tethys Trojan" because, together with Calypso, it circles Saturn in the same orbit as the moon Tethys, about 60 degrees ahead of and behind it. While Telesto is the "leading Trojan," Calypso is the "trailing Trojan."

Flyby Dates
  • No targeted flyby.

    Closest approach: Oct. 11, 2005 -- 9,534 kilometers (5,918 miles)
Fast Facts
  • Discovered in 1980 using ground-based observations by Brad Smith, Harold Reitsema, Stephen Larson and John Fountain
  • Distance from Saturn: 294,660 km (about 183,090 miles)
  • Equatorial diameter: 30 x 25 x 15 km (19 x 15.5 x 9 miles)
  • Mass: 8 x 1017 kg (17.6 x 1017 lbs)
Science Goals
  • Determine the characteristics and geological history of Telesto
  • Define the different physical processes that created the surface of Telesto
  • Investigate composition and distribution of surface materials on Telesto -- particularly dark, organic-rich material and condensed ices
  • Determine the bulk composition and internal structure of Telesto
  • Investigate interaction of Telesto with Saturn's magnetosphere and ring system
Saturn's Moons (sorted alphabetically)
Aegaeon
Aegir
Albiorix
Anthe
Atlas
Bebhionn
Bergelmir
Bestla
Calypso
Daphnis
Dione
Enceladus
Epimetheus
Erriapus
 Farbauti
Fenrir
Fornjot
Greip
Hati
Helene
Hyperion
Hyrrokkin
Iapetus
Ijiraq
Janus
Jarnsaxa
Kari
Kiviuq
 Loge
Methone
Mimas
Mundilfari
Narvi
Paaliaq
Pallene
Pan
Pandora
Phoebe
Polydeuces
Prometheus
Rhea
 Siarnaq
Skadi
Skoll
Surtur
Suttung
Tarqeq
Tarvos
Telesto
Tethys
Thrym
Titan
Ymir

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