Daphnis is a moon of Saturn, part of the Solar System in the universe. Saturn is a planet associated with the Sun, our star, and this space encyclopedia describes the moon’s identity and place in its planetary system.

Daphnis — A natural satellite of Saturn. Its physical properties and orbital motion are shown from the available catalogue and ephemeris data.

No object-specific chemical/elemental dataset has been verified and imported for this record. This does not mean none is publicly available. Appearance may be imagined; chemistry is not.

Discovery and designation
Daphnis was discovered in 2005. JPL credits Cassini Imaging Science Team. Its provisional designation is S/2005 S1. The name and discovery entry identify this particular satellite of Saturn; similarly named asteroids are separate objects.

Daphnis was discovered by the Cassini mission team on 1 May 2005. Prior to its discovery, scientists posited the existence of a moon in Daphnis' position due to the ripples observed along the edge of the Keeler Gap.

Daphnis has a mean radius of 2.4 miles (3.8 km) and orbits 85,000 miles (136,500 km) from Saturn, completing one orbit in 14 hours.

The gravitational pull of tiny inner Saturnian moon Daphnis perturbs the orbits of particles of Saturn's A ring—and sculpting the edge of the Keeler Gap into waves. Material on the inner edge of the gap orbits faster than the moon, so the waves there lead the moon in its orbit. Material on the outer edge moves slower than the moon, so waves there trail the moon. The waves Daphnis causes cast shadows on Saturn during its equinox when the sun is in line with the plane of the rings.

Formerly known as S/2005 S1, Daphnis is named for a shepherd, and pipes player who is a pastoral poet in Greek mythology. Daphnis was the son of Hermes, the brother of Pan and a descendent of the Titans.