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Psamathe (moon) facts for kids

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Psamathe
Psmathe feat.jpg
Discovery
Discovered by
Discovered 2003
Mean orbital elements
Epoch June 10, 2003
Semi-major axis 46.705 Gm
Eccentricity 0.4617
Inclination 137.679° *
Orbital period −9128.74 d
(24.9 a)
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter 38 km **
Albedo 0.04 assumed
  • *to the ecliptic
  • **based on the albedo

Psamathe or Neptune X, is a non-spherical moon of Neptune.

Psamathe was found by Scott S. Sheppard and David C. Jewitt in 2003. It orbits Neptune at a distance of about 46,695,000 km and takes almost 25 Earth years to make one orbit. It is about 24 kilometers in diameter.

It is named after Psamathe, one of the Nereids. Before the announcement of its name on February 3, 2007 (IAUC 8802), it was known by the designation S/2003 N 1.

Given the similarity of the orbit's parameters with Neso (S/2002 N 4), it was suggested that both non-spherical moons could have been a bigger moon that broken up.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Psámate (satélite) para niños

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