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Encyclopedia > Jupiter > Satellites > Amalthea

THE INNER SATELLITES OF JUPITER : AMALTHEA (J-5)



 

Credit : C. J. Hamilton/NASA
Left, an image of Amalthea from the space probe Voyager and right from Galileo


Amalthea (Jupiter V) was discovered by Barnard in 1892. This satellite is quite bright but difficult to observe because of the proximity of the planet Jupiter.



  
Characteristics Values
distance to Jupiter  181 000 km 
mean size  170 km 
visual magnitude  14.1
period of revolution 12 heures
orbital velocity 26 km/s
inclination of the orbit 
on the Jovian equator		 0.4°
eccentricity of the orbit 0.003
density (water=1)  ? 
escape velocity 84 m/s
reflectivity 0.05

 

Origin of the name  : click here.