The latest view of Hyperion by Cassini. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

The latest view of Hyperion by Cassini.  Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

NASA titled this image quite appropriately “Spongy Hyperion”.  This visible light image taken through a blue filter really does make the little moon look like a sponge.

Hyperion is a little moon being only 168 miles (270 km) across and it isn’t very uniform in shape either as you can tell.  Another interesting thing is the moon doesn’t spin so much as it tumbles its way around Saturn.  Tumble is a better descriptor because it has a variable “spin or tumble” rate and orientation.