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Astronomy Image of the Day

Jupiter's Moon Amalthea

03 November 1995

Author not provided

NASA Astronomy Image of the Day for 03 November 1995

Amalthea is Jupiter's fifth largest moon, much smaller than the four Galilean satellites Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. The orbit of Amalthea is inside of these moons, and with its long axis always pointing toward Jupiter. It's dark surface color is probably due to sulfur being expelled from Io. Amalthea is not massive enough for its internal gravity to make it spherical. Amalthea was discovered in 1892 by Edward Barnard.

Image and explanation courtesy of NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day