New observations of Saturn's coorbital satellites

The strong planetary methane and hydrogen absorption at 2.0-2.4 microns are exploited in the present observations of the Saturnian coorbital satellites Janus and Epimetheus as they passed over the north pole of Saturn at superior conjunction. These observations confirm the orbital model results of Yoder at al. (1989), especially in the question as to the low density of both satellites; in addition, a much stronger solution is furnished which is essentially independent of 1966 data for Epimethius. The low density results are interpreted as indicative that the objects are composed of relatively pure water ice, but with porosities of the order of 30 percent.