S/2021 N 1
Discovery arcsec / yr | |
---|---|
Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 16–25 km[a] 14 km[5][6] |
27 (average)[5] | |
12.1[1] | |
S/2021 N 1 is the smallest, faintest, and most distant
Discovery
S/2021 N 1 was first observed on 7 September 2021 by Scott S. Sheppard and collaborators, during their search for Neptunian irregular moons with the 8.2-m
From September 2021 to November 2023, Sheppard's conducted follow-up observations of S/2021 N 1 using other large-aperture telescopes around the world, which included the 6.5-m
Orbit
S/2021 N 1 is an
Over an 800-year time span from 1600 to 2400, S/2021 N 1's average
S/2021 N 1 has an average
S/2021 N 1 last passed
S/2021 N 1's orbit exhibits
S/2021 N 1 is part of the Neso group, a cluster of distant retrograde irregular moons of Neptune that includes Psamathe and the group's namesake Neso.[5] The moons of the Neso group have orbital elements that are clustered with semi-major axes between 46–51 million km (29–32 million mi), eccentricities between 0.4 and 0.5, and inclinations between 125° and 140°.[5] Like all other irregular moon groups, the Neso group is thought to have formed from the destruction of a larger captured moon of Neptune due to asteroid and comet impacts, which left many fragments in similar orbits around Neptune.[6]
Physical characteristics
S/2021 N 1 is extremely faint with an average apparent magnitude of 27, which is near the detectability limits of some the largest telescopes on Earth like the Subaru Telescope.[5][10]: 266 It is the faintest moon of Neptune discovered as of 2024[update].[8] Nothing is known about S/2021 N 1's physical properties other than its absolute magnitude of 12.1, which can be used to estimate the moon's diameter.[1] Assuming a geometric albedo range of 0.04–0.10 that is typical for most irregular moons,[15] S/2021 N 1 has a diameter between 16–25 km (10–16 mi).[a] Sheppard estimates the diameter to be 14 km, which if correct would make S/2021 N 1 the smallest known satellite orbiting Neptune.[5][6]
Notes
- ^ a b The diameter (in km) is calculated from absolute magnitude (H) and geometric albedo (p) according to the formula .[4] Given H = 12.1 and assuming an albedo range of 0.04–0.10, the diameter range is 16–25 km.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "MPEC 2024-D112 : S/2021 N 1". Minor Planet Electronic Circulars. Minor Planet Center. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Planetary Satellite Discovery Circumstances". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Planetary Satellite Mean Elements". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Asteroid Size Estimator". Center for Near Earth Object Studies. NASA. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sheppard, Scott S. "Moons of Neptune". Earth & Planets Laboratory. Carnegie Institution for Science. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "New Uranus and Neptune Moons". Earth & Planetary Laboratory. Carnegie Institution for Science. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ S2CID 248458067. 241.
- ^ a b Crane, Leah (23 February 2024). "Tiny new moons have been spotted orbiting Neptune and Uranus". NewScientist. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Williams, David R. (11 January 2024). "Mercury Fact Sheet". NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ S2CID 13282788.
- ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 2021N1 Osculating Orbit (1600-Feb-01 to 2399-Dec-01)". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 March 2024. Ephemeris Type: Elements. Center: 500@8 (Neptune Barycenter).
- ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 2021N1 from 2017-Sep-01 to 2017-Oct-01". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 February 2024. Ephemeris Type: Observer. Center: 500@899 (Neptune body center) Periapsis occurs when radial velocity (deldot) changes from negative to positive. Distance from Neptune (delta) is given in AU.
- ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 2021N1 from 2032-Mar-01 to 2032-Apr-01". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 February 2024. Ephemeris Type: Observer. Center: 500@899 (Neptune body center) Apoapsis when radial velocity (deldot) changes from positive to negative. Distance from Neptune (delta) is given in AU.
- ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 2021N1 from 2002-Nov-01 to 2002-Dec-01". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 February 2024. Ephemeris Type: Observer. Center: 500@899 (Neptune body center) Apoapsis when radial velocity (deldot) changes from positive to negative. Distance from Neptune (delta) is given in AU.
- S2CID 264819644. 223.
External links
- Sheppard, Scott S. (23 February 2024). "New Uranus and Neptune Moon Images". Earth & Planetary Laboratory. Carnegie Institution for Science.