Leda (moon)
| Leda | |
|---|---|
| Central body | Jupiter |
| Properties of the orbit | |
| Major semi-axis | 11,165,000 km |
| Periapsis | 9,338,000 km |
| Apoapsis | 12,992,000 km |
| eccentricity | 0.1636 |
| Orbit inclination | 27.457 ° |
| Orbital time | 240.92 d |
| Mean orbital velocity | 3.35 km / s |
| Physical Properties | |
| Albedo | 0.04 |
| Apparent brightness | 19.5 likes |
| Medium diameter | 20 km |
| Dimensions | 1.09 x 10 16 kg |
| Medium density | 2.6 g / cm 3 |
| Acceleration of gravity on the surface | 0.0073 m / s 2 |
| Escape speed | 12 m / s |
| discovery | |
| Explorer | |
| Date of discovery | September 11, 1974 |
Leda (also Jupiter XIII) is one of the smallest moons on the planet Jupiter , known even before the Voyager probes were used .
discovery
Leda was discovered on September 14, 1974 by the astronomer Charles Kowal on photographic plates that had been exposed three days earlier at the observatory on Mount Palomar . The official date of discovery is therefore September 11, 1974.
The moon was named after Leda , a lover of Zeus from Greek mythology .
Orbit data
Leda orbits Jupiter at an average distance of 11,165,000 km in around 240 days and 12 hours. The orbit has an eccentricity of 0.15 and, at 27.5 °, is strongly inclined in relation to the local Laplace plane , which roughly coincides with the plane of Jupiter.
Due to its orbital properties, it is assigned to the Himalia group , named after the Jupiter moon Himalia .
Physical data
Leda has an average diameter of only 20 km. Its density is relatively high at 2.6 g / cm³, which indicates that it is mainly composed of silicate rock. It has a very dark surface with an albedo of 0.04.
Their apparent brightness is 19.5 m .
Web links
- IAUC 2702: Probable new Satellite of Jupiter September 20, 1974 (discovery)
- IAUC 2846: Satellites of Jupiter October 7, 1975 (designation)
| before | Jupiter moons | after that |
| Ananke | Leda |
Thebe |