Psamathe, also known as Neptune X, is a retrograde irregular satellite of Neptune. The name is pronounced /ˈsæməθi/ SAM-ə-thee, or as in Latin Psamathē, Greek Ψαμάθη. It is named after Psamathe, one of the Nereids. This moon was discovered by Scott S. Sheppard and David C. Jewitt in 2003 using the 8.2 meter Subaru telescope.[3] Before the announcement of its name on February 3, 2007 (IAUC 8802), it was known by the provisional designation S/2003 N 1.[5]
This moon is about 38 kilometers in diameter. It orbits Neptune at a distance of about 46,695,000 km and requires almost 25 Earth years to make one orbit. The orbit of this satellite is close to the theoretical stable separation from Neptune for a body in a retrograde orbit. Given the similarity of this moon's orbital parameters with Neso (S/2002 N 4), it was suggested that both irregular satellites could have a common origin in the break-up of a larger moon.[3] Both are further from their primary than any other known moon in the Solar System.[6]
See also
* Irregular satellites
References
1. ^ Yeomans, Donald K. (2009-05-05). "Planetary Satellite Discovery Circumstances". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?sat_discovery. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
2. ^ Jacobson, R. A. (2008). "NEP078 - JPL satellite ephemeris". Planetary Satellite Mean Orbital Parameters. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?sat_elem. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
3. ^ a b c d Sheppard, Scott S.; Jewitt, David; Kleyna, Jan (2006). "A Survey for "Normal" Irregular Satellites Around Neptune: Limits to Completeness". The Astronomical Journal 132: 171–176. doi:10.1086/504799.
4. ^ Sheppard, Scott S.. "Neptune's Known Satellites". Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (Carnegie Institution of Washington). http://www.dtm.ciw.edu/users/sheppard/satellites/nepsatdata.html. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
5. ^ Marsden, Brian G.. "MPEC 2003-R19 : S/2003 N 1". Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K03/K03R19.html. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
6. ^ Schmude, Richard, Jr. (2008). Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and How to Observe Them. Springer. p. 106. ISBN 0387766014.
External links
* Neptune's Known Satellites (by Scott S. Sheppard)
* S/2003 N1 Neptune Satellite Movie Images (image)
* Ephemeris IAU-NSES
* Mean orbital parameters (NASA)
* IAUC 8193
see also: The Solar System
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