Jupiter's Moon Amalthea
Explanation:
Amalthea is
Jupiter's fifth largest moon, much smaller than
the four
Galilean
satellites
Io,
Europa,
Ganymede, and
Callisto.
The orbit of
Amalthea is inside of these moons, and with its long axis always
pointing toward
Jupiter. It's dark surface color is
probably due to sulfur being
expelled from Io.
Amalthea is not massive enough for its internal
gravity to make it spherical.
Amalthea was discovered in 1892 by Edward Barnard.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
