Valetudo

Valetudo is a small irregular moon of Jupiter discovered on March 28, 2017, by astronomers Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt, Jan T. Kleyna, and Gareth V. Williams. Valetudo is part of the Valetudo Group, a collection of irregular moons with similar orbital characteristics. Valetudo's small size and distant orbit around Jupiter contribute to its limited visibility and challenging study. It follows a prograde orbit, meaning it orbits in the same direction as Jupiter's rotation, but at a very close distance to the planet compared to its size. The irregular moons in Jupiter's outer moon groups, including the Valetudo Group, are thought to have originated from captured asteroids or fragments resulting from collisions. Valetudo's discovery is significant due to its unique orbit that places it amidst the prograde moons, while most irregular moons have retrograde orbits. This proximity increases the likelihood of potential collisions with other moons in the future.