What is Metis and how was it discovered?
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.
