Galatea (moon)
Galatea /ɡæləˈtiːə/, also known as Neptune VI, is the fourth-closest inner moon of Neptune. It is named after Galatea, one of the fifty Nereids of Greek legend, with whom Cyclops Polyphemus was vainly in love.
Galatea as seen by Voyager 2 (elongation is due to smearing) | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Stephen P. Synnott and Voyager Imaging Team |
| Discovery date | July 1989 |
| Designations | |
Designation | Neptune VI |
| Pronunciation | /ɡæləˈtiːə/ |
Named after | Γαλάτεια Galateia |
| Adjectives | Galatean |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch 18 August 1989 | |
Semi-major axis | 61952.57 km |
| Eccentricity | 0.00022 ± 0.00008 |
Orbital period (sidereal) | 0.42874431 ± 0.00000001 d |
| Inclination |
|
| Satellite of | Neptune |
| Group | ring shepherd |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | (204±10) × (184±16) × (144±8) km |
Mean radius | 88±4 km |
| Volume | ~2.8×106 km3 |
| Mass | 1.94×1018 kg |
Mean density | ~0.69 g/cm3 |
Surface gravity | ~0.012–0.025 m/s2 |
| ~0.05–0.06 km/s | |
Synodic rotation period | synchronous |
| zero | |
| Albedo | 0.08 |
| Temperature | ~51 K mean (estimate) |
| 21.9 | |
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