Unique Objects in the Solar System: Amalthea
Our solar system is made of the usual planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Then there is Pluto, which was declassified and now it is defined as a dwarf planet. Then, there are the planet’s moons, like the ones discovered around Jupiter by Galileo, when he first pointed the telescope toward the sky. But there are also other objects which are lesser known, such as Makemake, Ceres, and Oumuamua. How many of them do you know? Let us know in the comments below!
Our solar system is no joke, filled with the usual boring planets and moons that are well-known and loved. But hold your horses, because there are more objects in our cosmic neighborhood than you could ever imagine! Some of them might be lesser-known, like Ceres, Makemake, and Oumuamua, but they are just as important and exciting. Do you know any of them?
The view from Amalthea
So, have you ever heard of the enigmatic planet Amalthea or not? It’s a world shrouded in mystery that orbits around Jupiter. This rocky world is composed mainly of ice, and nobody really knows where it came from. Was it formed nearby Jupiter or did it drift millions of miles to its current location?
What we do know is that Amalthea boasts some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes that our universe has to offer. Once you set foot on its surface, you will find yourself surrounded by deep valleys, imposing craters, and towering mountains. The view from Amalthea is simply breathtaking.
Amalthea: Shape and Discovery
Amalthea is a strange-looking moon, shaped like a peanut that has been stretched out. This tiny moon measures 250 by 146 by 128 kilometers in its three dimensions.
The Red and White Amalthea
Although Amalthea hasn’t been explored as extensively as its counterparts, it has already revealed some intriguing secrets that keep us on the edge of our seats.
Only three missions – Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and the Galileo mission – have been lucky enough to capture images of this enigmatic world
James Webb and Amalthea
For instance, close your eyes and imagine Webb’s hexagonal mirrors pointing at the Jovian system in August 2022. In one breathtaking snapshot, you can see Jupiter and its faint rings, two tiny moons, and even distant galaxies “photobombing” the view.
Challenging the Moon formation theories
Anyway, when scientists tried to study the density of Amalthea, they found something unexpected. They thought moons closer to the planet would be made of rocky material, but Amalthea is a pile of icy rubble less dense than water.
How Amalthea Got Its Name
Just an interesting fact before ending this video. Amalthea is named after the nymph Amalthea from Greek mythology, who nursed the infant Zeus, which is the Greek equivalent of Jupiter, with goat’s milk. Its Roman numeral designation is Jupiter V
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