Metis (moon)

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

Metis or Jupiter XVI, is Jupiter's closest moon.

Metis was found in 1979 by Stephen P. Synnott in images taken by the Voyager 1 probe. Its designation was S/1979 J 3. In 1983 it was named after the mythological Metis, a Titaness who was the first wife of Zeus (the Greek equivalent of Jupiter).

Metis is not a sphere and measures 60×40×34 km across. The composition and mass of Metis are not known, but assuming that its mean density is like that of Amalthea (~0.86 g/cm³), its mass can be estimated as ~7×10¹⁶ kg. Amalthea's density implies that moon is composed of water ice with a porosity of 10-15%, and Adrastea may be similar.

The surface of Metis is very cratered. It is dark and appears to be reddish in color.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is Metis and how was it discovered?

A: Metis is Jupiter's closest moon. It was discovered in 1979 by Stephen P. Synnott in images taken by the Voyager 1 probe.

Q: What is the origin of the name Metis?

A: In 1983, Metis was named after the mythological Metis, a Titaness who was the first wife of Zeus (the Greek equivalent of Jupiter).

Q: Is Metis a spherical moon?

A: No, Metis is not a sphere.

Q: What are the dimensions of Metis?

A: Metis measures 60×40×34 km across.

Q: What is the composition of Metis?

A: The composition of Metis is not known, but it is assumed to be similar to Amalthea, which is composed of water ice with a porosity of 10-15%.

Q: What is the estimated mass of Metis?

A: Assuming that its mean density is like that of Amalthea, Metis' mass can be estimated as ~7×1016 kg.

Q: What is the surface of Metis like?

A: The surface of Metis is very cratered, dark, and appears to be reddish in color.