Hyperions

Hyperions is a term used for several distinct referents associated with the name Hyperion. It can denote mythological, astronomical, and cultural uses of the name.

In Greek mythology, Hyperion is a Titan associated with light and heavenly illumination. He is described as the father of the sun god Helios, the moon goddess Selene, and the dawn goddess Eos in various sources, typically with Theia as his consort. Hyperion is usually presented as part of the earlier generation of Titans who preceded the Olympian gods.

In astronomy, Hyperion is a natural satellite of Saturn. It is notable for its irregular, elongated shape and a sponge-like surface texture. The moon exhibits a very low density and a notably chaotic rotation. It was discovered in 1848 by William Lassell and is named after the mythic Titan.

In culture, the name Hyperion has been used in literature and media. The best-known instance is the science fiction novel Hyperion, published in 1989 by Dan Simmons, the first book in the Hyperion Cantos. The term also appears in other works of science fiction and in comic book contexts, often alluding to either the Titan or the Saturnian moon to evoke themes of grandeur, light, or distance.