description Odysseus (Tethys) Overview
Odysseus is a substantial impact crater on Saturn’s moon Tethys. It measures approximately 400 kilometers across, ranking as one of the largest craters relative to its parent body among all solar system objects. The crater's size and ancient origin make it significant for planetary scientists studying the processes of impact formation and the evolution of icy satellites like Tethys. Researchers utilize Odysseus to understand Saturn’s system’s early history.
insights Ranking position
Odysseus (Tethys) ranks #23 of 165 in the Crater ranking, behind Pingualuit, ahead of Sudbury Basin.
help Odysseus (Tethys) FAQ
How big is the Odysseus crater on Saturn's moon Tethys?
The Odysseus crater is enormous, measuring approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) in diameter. This makes it one of the largest craters in the solar system relative to the size of its parent body.
Why doesn't the Odysseus crater have a tall mountain peak?
Unlike fresh craters such as the Moon's Tycho crater, Odysseus lacks a prominent central peak because the moon's icy crust relaxed and flattened over billions of years. Tethys is composed largely of water ice, which is soft enough to viscously relax and lose its original topography.
What spacecraft imaged the Odysseus crater?
The crater was extensively photographed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft during its mission to study Saturn and its moons, which ended in 2017. Cassini provided high-resolution images showing the crater's flattened, ancient features.
What proportion of Tethys does the Odysseus crater cover?
Tethys itself is only about 1,060 kilometers across, meaning the Odysseus crater covers nearly two-fifths of the moon's entire surface area. If Earth had a crater of equivalent relative size, it would span the entire Pacific Ocean.
explore Explore More
Similar to Odysseus (Tethys)
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
