Moon Of Jupiter Research Paper

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Pages: 4

The Moons of Jupiter
Jupiter has 69 known moons, the largest number of moons for a planet in the solar system, that vary in size and characteristics. Researchers have grouped the moons into two broad categories namely regular satellites and irregular satellites. The regular satellites have almost circular orbits and are prograde while irregular satellites are smaller with eccentric orbits. Regular satellites are further grouped into two sub-groups – inner satellites and main satellites. Inner satellites (the Amalthea Group) orbit nearest to Jupiter and are responsible for replenishing and maintaining Jupiter’s ring system. NASA observes that main group (Galilean Moons) consists of some of the largest bodies in the solar system besides the sun
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Observers believe that this moon consist of porous water ice below the large craters and ridges making up its surface. Discovered in 1892, this planet orbits Jupiter at a distance of 2.54 Jupiter radii, an eccentricity of 0.003, and an inclination of 0.37° relative to Jupiter’s equator. Photographs show Amalthea to be red in color in what is attributed to sulfur originating from then nearby moon, Io. Observations also show that the leading hemisphere appears to be 1.3 times brighter than the trailing hemisphere probably due to the high velocity and friction. Amalthea’s surface is estimated to be between 88,000 and 170,000 square kilometers and radiating more than it receives from the sun. This radiation may be due to the influence of the Jovian heat flux, sunlight reflected from Jupiter, and bombardment of charged …show more content…
This Galilean moon has a diameter of 4,821 KM and an orbital radius of about 1,883,000 km. Callisto is tidally locked during rotation meaning that it orbits Jupitar with the same hemisphere facing inwards making Jupitar seemingly stands still in Callisto's sky. This planet has fairly equal rock and ice composition with confirmed compounds like water ice, carbon dioxide, silicates, and organic compounds. Investigations also reveal possible underground ocean of liquid water and surface features like ring structures and craters of different shapes. Other characteristics include a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide and low radiation levels leaving speculations of possibilities that the moon can support some form of life. Evidence show that Callisto orbits at a distance of approximately 1,880,000 km and has an orbital period of 16.7 Earth days. The eccentricity is between 0.0072 and 0.0076 and inclination of 0.20°–0.60° that causes the axial tilt to vary between 0.4° and