S/2022 J 2
Discovery[1]
Discovered byScott S. Sheppard
Discovery siteLas Campanas Obs.
Discovery date15 October 2022
Orbital characteristics[1][2]
Epoch 25 February 2023 (JD 2460000.5)
0.1498228 AU (22,413,170 km)
Eccentricity0.1820416
–1.88 yr (–685.51 days)
257.85858°
0° 31m 30.576s / day
Inclination165.39031° (to ecliptic)
148.74603°
135.21875°
Satellite ofJupiter
GroupCarme group
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
≈1 km[3]
Albedo0.04 (assumed)[3]
23[3]
17.6[1]

S/2022 J 2 is a small outer natural satellite of Jupiter discovered by Scott S. Sheppard on 15 October 2022 using the 6.5-meter Magellan-Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. It was announced by the Minor Planet Center on 22 February 2023, after observations were collected over a long enough time span to confirm the satellite's orbit.[1]

S/2022 J 2 is part of the Carme group, a tight cluster of retrograde irregular moons of Jupiter that follow similar orbits to Carme at semi-major axes between 22–24 million km (14–15 million mi), orbital eccentricities between 0.2 and 0.3, and inclinations between 163 and 166°.[3] With a diameter of about 1 km (0.62 mi) for an absolute magnitude of 17.6, it is one of Jupiter's smallest known moons with confirmed orbits.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "MPEC 2023-D45 : S/2022 J 2". Minor Planet Electronic Circulars. Minor Planet Center. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Planetary Satellite Discovery Circumstances". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sheppard, Scott S. "Moons of Jupiter". Earth & Planets Laboratory. Carnegie Institution for Science. Retrieved 22 February 2023.


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