Metis

Metis is a small moon of Jupiter, discovered by the Voyager 1 spacecraft during its flyby of the planet in 1979. Metis is named after a Titaness in Greek mythology, who was the first wife of Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology). Learn all about Metis here!

Formation

Jupiter's inner moons, including Metis, are believed to have formed from the remnants of collisions between larger parent bodies in the past. These collisions would have produced debris, some of which came together to create the smaller moons we observe today.

Size and Orbit

Metis is one of the innermost moons of Jupiter and is located within the planet's main ring system, known as the "Main Ring." Its proximity to Jupiter means that it has a fast orbital period of only about 7 hours and 4 minutes, making it one of the fastest orbiting natural satellites in the solar system.

Physical Characteristics

Metis is relatively small, with an estimated diameter of around 43 kilometers (27 miles). Its shape is thought to be irregular, likely due to its fast rotation and gravitational interactions with Jupiter.

Satellites

Metis has been observed by various spacecraft, including the Voyagers and the Galileo orbiter, which provided valuable data about its orbit, size, and composition. These observations have contributed to our understanding of Jupiter's complex moon system.