This is an image of Europa.
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Courtesy of NASA

Jupiter's Moons and Rings

Jupiter has moons and a ring system. The four Galilean satellites; Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, are among the most interesting of all solar system bodies, particularly Io, with its active volcanism, and Europa with the possibility of a water environment friendly to life. The Galileo spacecraft explored the moons while orbiting Jupiter for eight years: 1996-2003.

Other moons, in order of their distance from Jupiter, are: Metis, Adrastea, Amalthea, Thebe, Themisto, S/2003 J6, S/2003 J1, Leda, Himalia, Lysithea, Elara, S/2000 J11, S/2003 J20, S/2003 J3, S/2003 J12, S/2001 J10, S/2003 J18, S/2003 J16, S/2001 J7, Harpalyke, Praxidike, S/2001 J9, Ananke, S/2001 J3, Iocaste, S/2001 J2, S/2003 J15, S/2003 J17, S/2003 J11, S/2003 J9, Carme, S/2003 J19, S/2001 J6, S/2002 J1, S/2001 J8, Chaldene, Isonone, S/2001 J4, S/2003 J4, Erinome, Taygete, Pasiphae, S/2001 J11, Kalyke, Sinope, Magaclite, S/2003 J7, S/2001 J5, S/2003 J13, S/2003 J5, S/2001 J1, Callirrhoe, S/2003 J10, S/2003 J8, S/2003 J14, and S/2003 J2. These moons are part of a class of moons called the "Small Moons". Jupiter's moons are named after mythological figures.


Last modified September 20, 2003 by Randy Russell.

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