Herse

Herse (pronounced /ˈhɜrsiː/ HUR-see, or as in Greek Ἕρση), or Jupiter L, previously known by its provisional designation of S/2003 J 17, is a natural satellite of Jupiter. It was discovered on 8 February 2003 by the astronomers Brett J. Gladman, John J. Kavelaars, Jean-Marc Petit, and Lynne Allen.[1][2] It was named after Herse 'dew', a daughter of Zeus and Selene the moon in Greek mythology[citation needed], on 11 November 2009.[3][4]

Herse is about 2 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Jupiter at an average distance of 22,134 Mm in 672.752 days, at a mean inclination of 165° to the ecliptic, in a retrograde direction and with a mean eccentricity of 0.2493.[5]

It is the innermost member of the Carme group, made up of irregular retrograde moons orbiting Jupiter at a distance ranging between 23 and 24 Gm and at an inclination of about 165°.

References

1. ^ Daniel W. E. Green, IAUC 8116: Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn 2003 April 11 (discovery)
2. ^ Brian G. Marsden, MPEC 2003-G19: S/2003 J 17 2003 April 3 (discovery and ephemeris)
3. ^ Jennifer S. Blue, L Named Herse, 2009 November 9
4. ^ Jennifer S. Blue, IAUC 9094: Satellite of Jupiter (subscription required) 2009 November 11 (naming)
5. ^ Planetary Satellite Mean Orbital Parameters, JPL