Astronomy Magazine

Adrastea and Metis

Posted on the 01 June 2011 by Gabe12logan
Adrastea is the Jupiter's second closest known satellite. Orbiting Jupiter at a distance of 129 000 km and go around it in just 7 hours and 9 minutes. Its dimensions are 23x20x15 km, which gives the average diameter of about 16 km. The mass of the satellite is 1.91x1016 kg.
It was discovered by a student (now a famous astronomer) David Jewitt at the Voyager 2 pictures in 1979th. Adrastea, according to Roman mythology, was a supplier of rewards and punishments, but also the daughter of Jupiter and Ananke.
Metis is the closest known satellite of Jupiter. Orbiting Jupiter at a distance of 128 000 km and go around it in just 7 hours and 5 minutes. The average diameter of this satellite amounts to about 44 km. The mass of the satellite is 9.56x1016 kg.
The orbits of Metis and Adrastea are inside Jupiter's main ring, which is why it is suspected to be a source of material for the ring. The orbits of both satellites are inside the Roche limit, and will, even if, due to its small size and avoid collapse, sooner or later fall to Jupiter.
Metis was discovered by astronomer Synnott on the photos of the Voyager 1 in 1979th.Metis is in Greek mythology Oceanus and Tethys daughter, first wife of Zeus, Athena's mother. Goddess of wisdom, of deep thought and craft.

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