Megaclite
![]() Megaclite imaged by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in December 2001 | |
Discovery [1] | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Scott S. Sheppard David C. Jewitt Yanga R. Fernandez Eugene A. Magnier |
Discovery site | Mauna Kea Observatory |
Discovery date | 25 November 2000 |
Designations | |
Designation | Jupiter XIX |
Pronunciation | /mɛɡəˈklaɪtiː/ |
Named after | Μεγακλειτή Megaclītē |
S/2000 J 8 | |
Adjectives | Megaclitean /ˌmɛɡəklɪˈtiːən/ |
Orbital characteristics [2] | |
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5) | |
Observation arc | 16.26 yr (5,938 days) |
0.1586666 AU (23,736,190 km) | |
Eccentricity | 0.4102170 |
–747.09 d | |
269.64681° | |
0° 28m 54.732s / day | |
Inclination | 143.20224° (to ecliptic) |
356.52408° | |
8.71854° | |
Satellite of | Jupiter |
Group | Pasiphae group |
Physical characteristics[4] | |
Mean diameter | ≈ 6 km |
Albedo | 0.04 (assumed) |
21.7[3] | |
Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.0[2] |
Megaclite /mɛɡəˈklaɪtiː/, also known as Jupiter XIX, is a natural satellite of Jupiter. It was discovered by a team of astronomers from the University of Hawaii led by Scott S. Sheppard in 2000, and given the temporary designation S/2000 J 8.[5][1][6]
Megaclite is about 6 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Jupiter at an average distance of 24,687,000 kilometers in 747.09 days, at an inclination of 150° to the ecliptic (148° to Jupiter's equator), in a retrograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.308.
It was named in October 2002 after Megaclite, mother by Zeus (Jupiter) of Thebe and Locrus in Greek mythology.[7][8]
It belongs to the Pasiphae group, irregular retrograde moons orbiting Jupiter at distances ranging between 22.8 and 24.7 Gm, and with inclinations ranging between 144.5° and 158.3°.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Animation_of_Megaclite_around_Jupiter_-_Polar_view.gif/200px-Animation_of_Megaclite_around_Jupiter_-_Polar_view.gif)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Animation_of_Megaclite_around_Jupiter_-_Equatorial_view.gif/200px-Animation_of_Megaclite_around_Jupiter_-_Equatorial_view.gif)
References[]
- ^ a b MPEC 2001-A29: S/2000 J 7, S/2000 J 8, S/2000 J 9, S/2000 J 10, S/2000 J 11 2001 January 15 (discovery and ephemeris)
- ^ a b "M.P.C. 115890" (PDF). Minor Planet Circular. Minor Planet Center. 27 August 2019.
- ^ Sheppard, Scott. "Scott S. Sheppard - Jupiter Moons". Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. Carnegie Institution for Science. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ "Planetary Satellite Physical Parameters". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ^ IAUC 7555: Satellites of Jupiter Archived 2002-09-16 at the Wayback Machine 2001 January 5 (discovery)
- ^ MPEC 2001-T59: S/2000 J 8, S/2000 J 9, S/2000 J 10 2001 October 15 (revised ephemeris)
- ^ IAUC 7998: Satellites of Jupiter 2002 October 22 (naming the moon "Magaclite")
- ^ IAUC 8023: Satellites of Jupiter 2002 November 29 (correcting the name)
- Pasiphae group
- Moons of Jupiter
- Irregular satellites
- Discoveries by Scott S. Sheppard
- Astronomical objects discovered in 2000