Perdita (moon) facts for kids
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Erich Karkoschka / Voyager 2 |
| Discovery date | May 18, 1999 (in images dating back to January 18, 1986) |
| Orbital characteristics | |
|
Mean orbit radius
|
76,417 ± 1 km |
| Eccentricity | 0.0012 ± 0.0005 |
| 0.638021 ± 0.000013 d | |
| Inclination | 0.0 ± 0.3° (to Uranus' equator) |
| Satellite of | Uranus |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 30 × 30 × 30 km |
|
Mean radius
|
15 ± 3 km |
| ~2,800 km² | |
| Volume | ~14,000 km³ |
| Mass | ~0.18×1017 kg |
|
Mean density
|
~1.3 g/cm³ assumed |
| ~0.0047 m/s2 | |
| ~0.011 km/s | |
| synchronous | |
| zero | |
| Albedo | 0.08 ± 0.01 |
| Temperature | ~64 K |
Perdita is a closer moon to Uranus. Perdita's discovery was not simple. The first pictures of Perdita were taken by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1986, but it was not recognized from the photographs for more than a decade. In 1999, the moon was noticed by Erich Karkoschka and reported. But because no further pictures could be taken to confirm its existence, it was thought to be non-existent in 2001. However, in 2003, pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope managed to pick up an object where Perdita was supposed to be, finally confirming its existence.
Following its discovery in 1999, Perdita was given the designation of S/1986 U 10. It was named after the daughter of Leontes and Hermione in William Shakespeare's play The Winter's Tale. The moon is also designated Uranus XXV.
Perdita belongs to Portia Group of moons, which also includes Bianca, Cressida, Desdemona, Portia, Juliet, Cupid, Rosalind and Belinda. These moons have similar orbits and photometric properties. Unfortunately, other than its orbit, radius of 15 km and geometric albedo of 0.08 almost nothing is known about it.
Images for kids
-
Discovery image of Perdita taken by Voyager 2 on 23 January 1986. The location of the moon is indicated by the arrow on the upper right.
See also
In Spanish: Perdita para niños
