Decrease font size Increase font size Print this page Français

Discoveries > Jupiter VIII

JUPITER : SMALL OUTER SATELLITES



The arrow shows: left the satellite Ananke in the halo of Jupiter and right Carme three superimposed successive poses showing the motion (in one hour). These fields are 12 minutes of degree large.
Credit : J.E. Arlot, OHP/CNRS/IMCCE

In addition to the large Galilean satellites, Jupiter has small satellites, some of which are very far from the planet are actually asteroids captured by Jupiter during its formation, now orbiting around the planet.

These satellites are very small and difficult to observe in a telescope. They are detected through their motion relative to the stars as they follow Jupiter in its orbit.