| NAME OF MOON |
AVERAGE DISTANCE FROM
JUPITER |
LENGTH OF TIME TO COMPLETE
AN ORBIT |
DIAMETER |
YEAR OF DISCOVERY AND
DISCOVERER |
ORIGIN OF NAME |
| Metis |
128,100 km
(79,598 miles) |
0.30 |
44 km
(27 miles) |
4th
March 1979, Stephen Synnott from Voyager 1 images |
In mythology, Metis was a Titaness and the first wife of Zeus (Zeus is
the Roman equivalent of Jupiter). Metis received its name in 1983. |
| Adrastea |
128,900 km
(80,095 miles) |
0.30 |
16 km
(10 miles) |
8th
July 1979, David C. Jewitt and G. Edward Danielson from Voyager 2 images |
Daughter
of Zeus (Jupiter) and Ananke. Adrastea is the goddess of necessity. Its
spelling in mythology is actually Adrasteia. Adrastea received its name in
1983. Previous to that, another of Jupiter's moons, Ananke, was sometimes
known as Adrastea until it received its name. |
| Amalthea |
181,400 km
(112,716 miles) |
0.50 |
168 km
(104 miles) |
9th
September 1892, Edward Emerson Barnard |
Foster-mother
of Zeus, sometimes represented as a goat. The first moon of Jupiter to be
discovered after the Galilean satellites almost 300 years earlier and the
last to be found by traditional observation through a telescope. It
officially received its name in 1975. |
| Thebe |
221,900 km
(137,883 miles) |
0.68 |
98 km
(61 miles) |
5th
March 1979, Stephen Synnott from Voyager 1 images (the moon was later
found on images dating from 27th February 1979) |
Nypmh,
daughter of Asopus and Metope. Wife of Zethus and lover of Zeus (Jupiter).
Zeus and Iodame also had a daughter called Thebe. Thebe was named in 1983. |
| Io |
421,800 km
(262,094 miles) |
1.77 |
3,643 km
(2,264 miles) |
7th
January 1610, Galileo Galilei |
Priestess
of Hera, lover of Zeus. Io was first named in 1614 by Simon Marius, but
was mostly referred to as Jupiter I, or "the first satellite of
Jupiter" until Io was once again used in the mid-20th Century. |
| Europa |
671,100 km
(417,002 miles) |
3.55 |
3,122 km
(1,940 miles) |
7th
January 1610, Galileo Galilei |
A
noblewoman of Phoenicia, courted by Zeus. She became Queen of Crete (in
mythology, not real life!). Europa was initially named by Simon Marius who
made his own observations of Jupiter's four largest moons, but the name
wasn't commonly used until the mid-20th Century. Instead, it was referred
to as Jupiter II. |
| Themisto |
750700 km
(466,463 miles) |
130.0 |
9
km (5.6 miles) |
30th
September 1975, Charles Kowai and Elizabeth Roemer. Discovered again
on 21st November 2000, Scott Sheppard, David Jewitt, Yanga Fernández and
Eugene Magnier. |
Daughter of the River god
Inachus. It received its name in 2002. The reason it wasn't named sooner
was that after its first observation in 1975, the moon was lost and wasn't
found again until 2000! |
| Ganymede |
1,070,400 km
(665,116 miles) |
7.16 |
5,262 km
(3,270 miles) |
11th
January 1610, Galileo Galilei |
Trojan prince, son of King
Tros. Served as cupbearer to the gods, transported to the heavens by Zeus,
who was in the form of an eagle. Ganymede is the only moon of Jupiter
named after a male figure. Its name was chosen by Simon Marius but wasn't
commonly used until the mid-20th Century. It was instead known as Jupiter
III, or "the third satellite of Jupiter." |
| Callisto |
1,882,700 km
(1,169,856 miles) |
16.69 |
4,821
km (2,996 miles) |
7th
January 1610, Galileo Galilei |
A nymph, associated with
Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Simon Marius, who also claimed to
discover Jupiter's moons, chose the name Callisto but this name wasn't
commonly used until the mid-20th Century. Up to then, it was known as
Jupiter IV (4), or "the fourth satellite of Jupiter." |
| Leda |
11,165,000 km
(6,937,609 miles) |
240.9 |
18 km
(11 miles) |
14th
September 1974, Charles Kowai from photographs taken from Mount Palomar
Observatory between 11th - 13th September 1974) |
Lover of Zeus (Jupiter). Zeus
came to Leda as a swan (Zeus is kind of like a Transformer!). Its name was
suggested by its discoverer, Charles Kowai, and was officially named in
1975. |
| Himalia |
11,461,000 km
(7,121,535 miles) |
250.6 |
160 km
(99 miles) |
3rd
December 1904, Charles Dillon Perrine at Lick Observatory in California. |
A nymph from Cyprus. Gave
birth to three of Zeus' (Jupiter's) sons. Himalia was officially named in
1975 despite calls to give it a proper name shortly after the discovery of
it and Elara a month later. It was the 6th moon to be discovered around
Jupiter so was known as Jupiter VI (6), but the traditional naming system
was getting confusing. Jupiter V (5) was closer to Jupiter than Jupiter I
(1), II (2), III (3) and IV (4). Jupiter VI (6) came after Jupiter IV (4)
in its orbit around Jupiter. Between 1955 and 1975, it was sometimes known
as Hestia (a Greek goddess) |
| Lysithea |
11,717,000 km
(7,280,606 miles) |
259.2 |
38 km
(24 miles) |
6th
July 1938, Seth Barnes Nicholson at Mount Wilson Observatory in
California. |
One of Zeus' lovers, daughter
of Oceanus. It was officially named in 1975, before being known as Jupiter
X (10, as it was the tenth moon to be discovered around Jupiter). Between
1955 and 1975, it was sometimes called Demeter. |
| Elara |
11,741,000 km
(7,295,519 miles) |
259.6 |
78 km
(48 miles) |
2nd
January 1905, Charles Dillon Perrine at Lick Observatory in California. |
Mother of Tityas (a giant)
and daughter of King Orchomenus. She was a lover of Zeus who hid her from
his wife deep beneath the Earth. Seems like a nice man! This is where she
somehow gave birth to Tityas. It was officially named in 1975 although was
previously known as Jupiter VII (7) or Hera (between 1955 and 1975) |
| S/2000 J11 |
12,555,000 km
(7,801,315 miles) |
290.9 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2000,
Scott Sheppard and his team of sheep astronomers. |
Not yet named |
| Carpo |
16,989,000 km
(10,556,475 miles) |
456.1 |
3
km (1.86 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Daughter of Zeus and one of
the first generation of Horae (three goddesses controlling orderly life).
Received its name in March 2005. |
| S/2003
J3 |
18,339,885 km
(11,395,876 miles) |
504.0 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not yet named |
| S/2003
J12 |
19,002,480 km
(11,807,594 miles) |
533.3 |
1
km (0.62 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not yet named |
| Euporie |
19,302,000 km
(11,993,707 miles) |
550.7 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Daughter of Zeus and one of
the third generation of Horae, a goddess of abundance. (What's abundance?
A disco for cakes!). It received its name in August 2003. |
| S/2003
J18 |
20,700,000 km
(12,862,384 miles) |
606.3 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2003,
Brett Gladman and his team of astronomers |
Not yet named |
| Orthosie |
20,721,000 km
(12,875,432 miles) |
622.6 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Daughter of Zeus, goddess of
prosperity and one of the third generation of Horae. It received its name
in August 2003. |
| Euanthe |
20,799,000 km
(12,923,899 miles) |
620.6 |
3
km (1.86 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Euanthe was mother of the
graces (goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and
fertility). It received its name in August 2003. |
| Thyone |
20,940,000 km
(13,011,513 miles) |
627.3 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Mother of Dionysus. Zeus fell
in love with Thyone (who was called Semele at the time). If mortals saw
Zeus as a god, they perished. Zeus was usually in the form of an eagle
when with Semele, but Semele repeatedly asked Zeus to prove himself as a
god. So he did, and she went to Hades, but was later rescued by Dionysus.
She became goddess of Mount Olympus, now with the name Thyone! The moon
Thyone received its name in August 2003. |
| Mneme |
21,069,000 km
(13,091,670 miles) |
620.0 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One of 9 muses, who inspire
the creation process through music and dance. The Moon Mneme received its
name in March 2005. Just in case you're wondering, it's pronounced
"nee-mee". |
| Harpalyke |
21,105,000 km
(13,114,039 miles) |
623.3 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Daughter of Klymenos, who
also married her. She gave birth to a son called Presbon. It received its
name in August 2003. |
| Hermippe |
21,131,000 km
(13,130,195 miles) |
633.9 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Lover of Zeus (Jupiter),
mother of Orchomenus. It received its name in August 2003 |
| Praxidike |
21,147,000 km
(13,140,137 miles) |
625.3 |
7 km
(4.35 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Greek goddess of punishment.
It received its name in August 2003. |
| Thelxinoe |
21,162,000 km
(13,149,457 miles) |
628.1 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2004,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard (moon was
found in images from 2003) |
One of the 4 original muses.
Received its name in March 2005. |
| Iocaste |
21,269,000 km
(13,215,944 miles) |
631.5 |
5 km
(3.1 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Named after Jocaste, the
mother and wife of Oedipus (Oedipus was unaware that Jocaste was his
mother as he was abandoned as a child and didn't know who she when they
married). The
moon received its name in October 2002. |
| Helike |
21,263,000 km
(13,212,216 miles) |
634.8 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
A nymph who nurtured Zeus
(Jupiter) as an infant in Crete. Helike was named in March 2005 |
| Ananke |
21,276,000 km
(13,220,293 miles) |
610.5 |
28 km
(17 miles) |
1951,
Seth Barnes Nicholson at Mount Wilson Observatory in California. |
Lover of Zeus, mother of
Adrastea. This moon was officially named in 1975, although was referred to
as Jupiter XII up to then. It was also sometimes known as Adrastea, now
the name of the second closest moon of Jupiter. |
| S/2003
J15 |
22,000,000 km
(13,670,166 miles) |
668.4 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not yet named |
| S/2003
J17 |
22,000,000 km
(13,670,166 miles) |
690.3 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
Brett Gladman and his team of astronomers |
Not yet named |
| S/2003
J9 |
22,441,680 km
(13,944,613 miles) |
683.0 |
1
km (0.62 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not yet named |
| S/2003
J19 |
22,800,000 km
(14,167,263 miles) |
701.3 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2003,
Brett Gladman and his team of astronomers |
Not yet named |
| Eurydome |
22,865,000 km
(14,207,652 miles) |
717.3 |
3 km
(1.86 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Eurydome is often known as
the mother of the graces in Greek mythology. Their father is Zeus
(Jupiter). The moon was named in August 2003. |
| Arche |
22,931,000 km
(14,248,663 miles) |
723.9 |
3
km (1.86 miles) |
2002,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One of the four original
muses. It received its name in 2005. |
| Autonoe |
23,039,000 km
(14,315,771 miles) |
762.7 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Mother of the charites, a
conquest of Zeus (Jupiter). Received its name in August 2003. |
| Pasithee |
23,096,000 km
(14,351,189 miles) |
719.5 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One of the charites, or
graces, goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, humans creativity and
fertility. Daughter of Zeus and Eurydome. The moon received its name in
August 2003. |
| Chaldene |
23,179,000 km
(14,402,762 miles) |
723.8 |
4
km (2.48 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Mother
of Solymus. Another of Zeus' lovers. It was named in October 2002. |
| Kale |
23,217,000 km
(14,426,375 miles) |
729.5 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One
of the charites, or graces. Named in August 2003. |
| Isonoe |
23,217,000 km
(14,426,375 miles) |
725.5 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
A
lover of Zeus and one of the Danaides (one of the 50 daughters of Danaus
and Pieria). The moons received its name in October 2002. |
| Aitne |
23,231,000 km
(14,435,074 miles) |
730.2 |
3 km
(1.86 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Divine
personification of Mount Etna. Her sons are the Palici, the Scicilian gods
of geysers. It was named in August 2003. |
| S/2003 J4 |
23,257,920 km
(14,451,801 miles) |
723.2 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not
yet named |
| Erinome |
23,279,000 km
(14,464,900 miles) |
728.3 |
3
km (1.86 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Named
after the Roman mythological character, Erinome, a lover of Jupiter. Named
in October 2002. |
| Taygete |
23,360,000 km
(14,515,231 miles) |
732.2 |
5
km (3.1 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One
of the Pleiades (the 7 daughters of Atlas the Titan and Pleione). Lover of
Zeus and mother of Lacedaemon. |
| Carme |
23,404,000 km
(14,542,571 miles) |
702.3 |
46 km
(29 miles) |
30th
July 1938, Seth Barnes Nicholson at Mount Wilson Observatory |
Lover
of Zeus (aren't they all?) and mother of Britomartis, a goddess of Crete.
It received its name in 1975, known as Jupiter XI beforehand, or sometimes
Pan between 1955 to 1975. Pan is now the name of a moon of Saturn. |
| Sponde |
23,487,000 km
(14,594,145 miles) |
748.3 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2001,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Sponde
is one of the Horae, or Hours, goddesses of the different times of the
day. Sponde was goddess of the seventh hour of the day a time when a
libation, or pouring of a drink as an offering to the gods, was made after
lunch. The Horae are all daughters of Zeus and Themis. The moon received
its name in August 2003. |
| Kalyke |
23,583,000 km
(14,653,797 miles) |
743.0 |
5 km
(3.1 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Kalyke
(also spelt Calyce in mythology) was the mother of Endymion. Either Zeus
or Kalyke's husband Aethlius was the father. In other sources, she is the
mother of Aethlius, not his wife, and didn't give birth to Endymion. The
moon received its name in October 2002. |
| Pasiphae |
23,624,000 km
(14,679,273 miles) |
708.0 |
58 km
(36 miles) |
28th
February 1908, Philibert Jacques Melotte from plates taken at the Royal
Greenwich Observatory. It was later spotted on a plate dated from 27th
January 1908 but not designated as a moon until 10th April. |
Wife
of Minos and mother of the Minotaur. It received its name in 1975, but
beforehand was sometimes known as Jupiter VIII (8) or Poseidon (from
1955). |
| Eukelade |
23,661,000 km
(14,702,264 miles) |
746.4 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One
of the muses, a daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). Received its name In March
2005. |
| Megaclite |
23,806,000 km
(14,792,362 miles) |
752.8 |
6
km (3.73 miles) |
2000,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Lover
of Zeus and mother of Thebe and Locrus. Named in October 2002. |
| Sinope |
23,939,000 km
(14,875,005 miles) |
724.5 |
38 km
(24 miles) |
21st
July 1914, Seth Barnes Nicholson at Lick Observatory, California |
A
daughter of Asopus, abducted by Zeus who abducted her and took her to the
site that later became known as the city of Sinope on the Black Sea. Named
in 1975, before which being known as Jupiter IX and sometimes, from 1955,
Hades. |
| Hegemone |
23,947,000 km
(14,879,975 miles) |
739.6 |
3
km (1.86 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One
of the graces, a daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). Named in March 2005. |
| Aoede |
23,981,000 km
(14,901,102 miles) |
761.5 |
4 km
(2.48 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
One
of the muses, a daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Named in March 2005. |
| Kallichore |
24,043,000 km
(14,939,627 miles) |
764.7 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
A
Nysiad, one of the nymphs that nursed Dionysus. Named in March 2005. |
| S/2003 J23 |
24,055,500 km
(14,947,394 miles) |
759.7 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not
yet named |
| S/2003 J5 |
24,084,180 km
(14,965,215 miles) |
759.7 |
4
km (2.48 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not
yet named |
| Callirrhoe |
24,102,000 km
(14,976,288 miles) |
758.8 |
7
km (4.35 miles) |
6th
October 1999, Spacewatch (a project studying asteroids and comets).
Discovered to be a moon of Jupiter on 18th July 2000 by TIm Spahr. |
Daughter
of river god Achelus. A lover - amongst many - of Zeus (Jupiter). Named in
October 2002. |
| S/2003 J10 |
24,249,600 km
(15,068,002 miles) |
767.0 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Not
yet named |
| Cyllene |
24,349,000 km
(15,129,767 miles) |
737.8 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
A
water nymph (a naiad), or mountain nymph (an oread). Associated with Mount
Kyllini in Greece. A daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). The moon received its
name in March 2005. |
| Kore |
24,543,000 km
(15,250,313 miles) |
779.2 |
2
km (1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard |
Kore
is another name for the greek goddess Persephone. Daughter of Demeter and
Zeus. Named in March 2005. |
| S/2003 J2 |
28,570,410 km
(17,752,829 miles) |
982.5 |
2 km
(1.24 miles) |
2003,
astronomers at University of Hawaii headed by Scott Sheppard and David
Jewitt |
Not
yet named |
