This satellite was discovered in October 1999 by the asteroid research program "Spacewatch" using the 91cm-telescope of the Kitt Peak Observatory, USA. Identified initially as an asteroid called 1999 UX18, the unusual orbit of this object led to consider that it was in fact a new satellite of Jupiter.

For more information on the orbital parameters: click here.

Names for these small satellites

The new satellite S/1999 J1 observed at OHP with the 120 cm telescope. The motion appears through the alternation of two separate 10-minute exposures.

Since 1999, many new satellites from the family of Pasiphae were discovered (i.e. orbiting between 18 and 28 million kilometers away from Jupiter) and rotating clockwise (with an inclination between 140 and 165 degrees). Their eccentricities are between 0.10 and 0.40 and their rotation periods between 500 and 1000 days.

These satellites have a magnitude of about 21 to 24 and a size of 3 to 8 km. Like all other small outer satellites of Jupiter, they are probably asteroids of class C (carbon) captured by the planet at the time of its formation.