Sasalh
Mean distance from Galhaf | 272,568 km |
Perigee | 264,827 km |
Apogee | 280,309 km |
Orbital period | 17 d, 22 h, 26 m, 13.155 s (Earth time) 16 d, 21 h, 56 m, 8.674 s (Galhafan time) |
Synodic period (average) | 19 d, 6 h, 22 m, 28.924 s (Earth time) 18 d, 4 h, 3 m, 19.816 s (Galhafan time) |
Rotational period | 17 d, 22 h, 26 m, 13.155 s (Earth time) 16 d, 21 h, 56 m, 8.674 s (Galhafan time) |
Eccentricity | .0284 |
Diameter | 2,104 km |
Surface area | 13,910,000 km² |
Angular size | 25.8'- 26.5' |
Mass | 2.343×1022 kg |
Surface Gravity | 1.414 m/s² .1442 g |
Sasash is the larger of Galhaf's two moons, orbiting in an only slightly-eccentric orbit just a little under 17 Galhafan days. As is common with satellites, it is tide-locked to Galhaf. Its orbit varies somewhat due to gravitational influences from other planets and Chihazh.
Its name is related to the common noun zash meaning "moon". The name Sasash is derived from the Classical Kasshian waTassaklas, which included the root (wa)saklas meaning "moon" or "month", the source of the common noun zash.
Origin
Sasash is generally believed to have formed from the impact of a large planetary object early in Galhaf's history. Sasash originated in a much closer orbit to Galhaf, and has slowly moved outwards due to tidal interactions with Galhaf, simultaneously slowing Galhaf's rotational speed. At some point in its outward migration, the lesser moon, Lhásta, got caught in a 3:2 orbital resonance with Sasash.
Physical structure
Sasash is significantly denser than Earth's moon, presumably due to differences in the details of the giant impacts that formed each body. It is significantly smaller than Earth's moon, however, with a radius just 60.6% the Moon's and a mass 31.9% the Moon's. It has no real atmosphere.
Appearance from Galhaf
From the surface of Galhaf, Sasash appears only a little smaller than our own Moon. Its apparent angular size is just a little smaller than Chihazh's, thus, total solar eclipses are unknown on Galhaf.