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Moon of Jupiter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Megaclite /mɛɡəˈklaɪtiː/, also known as Jupiter XIX, is a natural satellite of Jupiter. It was discovered by a team of astronomers from the University of Hawaii led by Scott S. Sheppard in 2000, and given the temporary designation S/2000 J 8.[5][1][6]
![]() Megaclite imaged by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in December 2001 | |
Discovery [1] | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Scott S. Sheppard David C. Jewitt Yanga R. Fernandez Eugene A. Magnier |
Discovery site | Mauna Kea Observatory |
Discovery date | 25 November 2000 |
Designations | |
Designation | Jupiter XIX |
Pronunciation | /mɛɡəˈklaɪtiː/ |
Named after | Μεγακλειτή Megaclītē |
S/2000 J 8 | |
Adjectives | Megaclitean /ˌmɛɡəklɪˈtiːən/ |
Orbital characteristics [2] | |
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5) | |
Observation arc | 16.26 yr (5,938 days) |
0.1586666 AU (23,736,190 km) | |
Eccentricity | 0.4102170 |
–747.09 d | |
269.64681° | |
0° 28m 54.732s / day | |
Inclination | 143.20224° (to ecliptic) |
356.52408° | |
8.71854° | |
Satellite of | Jupiter |
Group | Pasiphae group |
Physical characteristics[3] | |
≈ 6 km | |
Albedo | 0.04 (assumed) |
21.7[4] | |
15.0[2] | |
Megaclite is about 6 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Jupiter at an average distance of 24,687,000 kilometers in 747.09 days, at an inclination of 150° to the ecliptic (148° to Jupiter's equator), in a retrograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.308.
It was named in October 2002 after Megaclite, mother by Zeus (Jupiter) of Thebe and Locrus in Greek mythology.[7][8]
It belongs to the Pasiphae group, irregular retrograde moons orbiting Jupiter at distances ranging between 22.8 and 24.7 Gm, and with inclinations ranging between 144.5° and 158.3°. However, while Pasiphae is gray (B−V=0.74, V−R=0.38, V−I=0.74) in color, Megaclite is light red (B−V=0.94, V−R=0.41, V−I=1.05) and come similar to Callirrhoe.[9]
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