Metis (moon)

Not to be confused with 9 Metis
Metis, also known as Jupiter XVI, is the current innermost known moon of Jupiter. It was discovered in 1979 in images taken by Voyager 1, and was named in 1983 after the first wife of Zeus, Metis.
==Discovery and observations==
Voyager 1 discovery image of Metis on 4 March 1979, showing the moon's tiny silhouette against the backdrop of Jupiter's clouds
Metis was discovered in 1979 by Stephen P. Synnott in images taken by the Voyager 1 probe and was provisionally designated as S/1979 J 3.
==Physical characteristics==
Metis has an irregular shape and measures 60 × 40 × 34 km across, which makes it the second smallest of the four inner satellites of Jupiter by diameter. Therefore, a very rough estimate of its surface area could be placed between 5,800 and 11,600 square kilometers (approx. 8,700). The bulk composition and mass of Metis are unknown, but assuming that its mean density is like that of Amalthea (~0.86 g/cm3),[10] its mass can be estimated as ~3.6×1016 kg. This density would imply that it is composed of water ice with a porosity of 10–15%
==Orbit and rotation==
[[File:Metis_moon.jpg|thumb|right|Metis image by Galileo spacecraft on January 4, 2000]
Metis is the innermost of Jupiter's four small inner moons. It orbits Jupiter at a distance of ~128,000 km (1.79 Jupiter radii) within Jupiter's main ring. Metis's orbit has very small eccentricity (~0.0002) and inclination (~ 0.06°) relative to the equator of Jupiter.
Because of tidal locking, Metis rotates at the same time with its orbital period (about 7 hours), with its longest axis aligned towards the planet.
==Relationship with Jupiter's rings==
Metis could be a shepherd moon since it is thought to shepherd Jupiter's Metis notch ring.
Category:Moons
Category:Jovian Moons
Category:Inner Moon of Jupiter
Category:Objects with No Atmosphere
Category:Objects Not in Hydrostatic Equilibrium
Category:Outer Solar System Object
Category:Prograde Satellite
Category:Numbered Objects
Category:Numbered Moons
Category:Named Moons
Category:Named Objects
Category:Shepherd Moon