Metis (moon) - Definition and Overview

Metis

Image of Metis was taken by Galileo's solid state imaging system between November 1996 and June 1997.
Discovery
Discovered by	S. Synnott
Discovered in	1979
Orbital characteristics
Mean radius	127,969 km
Eccentricity	0.0012
Revolution period	7h 4.5m
Inclination	~0°
Is a satellite of	Jupiter
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter	43 km
Surface area	km2
Mass	9.5467×1016 kg
Mean density	2.8 g/cm3
Surface gravity	0.0159 m/s2
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1)	0.00162
Rotation period	7h 4.5m
Axial tilt	°
Albedo	0.05
Surface temp.	min mean max K K K
Atmospheric pressure	0 kPa

Metis (pronounced "MEE tis") is the innermost member of the Amalthea group of Jupiter's small inner moons.

The moon was discovered in 1979 by the Voyager 1 probe and was designated 1979 J 3. In 1983 it was officially named after the mythological Metis, a Titaness who was the first wife of Zeus and the mother of Athena.

Metis lies within Jupiter's main planetary ring, and may be the source of the material that comprises it. Its orbit lies inside Jupiter's synchronous orbit radius, and as a result, tidal forces are slowly causing its orbit to decay. It is also within Jupiter's Roche limit, but is small enough to avoid tidal disruption.

Not to be confused with the asteroid 9 Metis.