Narvi

Narvi's discovery image
Discovery
Discovered by	Scott S. Sheppard et al.
Discovery date	11 April 2003
Designations
Pronunciation	/ˈnɑːrvi/
Named after	Narfi
Alternative names	S/2003 S 1
Orbital characteristics[1]
Semi-major axis	19226600 km
Eccentricity	0.2990
Orbital period (sidereal)	−995.33 days
Inclination	136.803°
Satellite of	Saturn
Group	Norse group
Physical characteristics[2]
Mean radius	3.5+50% −30% km
Synodic rotation period	10.21±0.02 h
Albedo	0.06 (assumed)
Apparent magnitude	23.8

Narvi /ˈnɑːrvi/ or Saturn XXXI is a natural satellite of Saturn. It was discovered by a team of astronomers led by Scott S. Sheppard in 2003, and given the temporary designation S/2003 S 1.

Description

Narvi is about 7 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Saturn at an average distance of 19,371,000 km in 1006.541 days, at an inclination of 136.8° to the ecliptic (109° to Saturn's equator), in a retrograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.2990, very similar to Bestla's orbit.^[3] Narvi's rotation period is 10.21±0.02 hours, and its light curve has three minima like Siarnaq and Ymir. Unlike the other triangular moons, however, one minimum is much higher than the others, and the maximum that is a half-period ahead is much lower.^[2]

Naming

It was named in January 2005 after Narfi, a giant in Norse mythology. The name was approved by the IAU Working Group on Planetary System Nomenclature on 21 January 2005.