S/2018 J 2

S/2018 J 2
Discovery[1]
Discovered byScott S. Sheppard
Discovery siteCerro Tololo Obs.
Discovery date12 May 2018
Orbital characteristics[1][2]
Epoch 9 August 2022 (JD 2459800.5)
Observation arc19.48 yr (7,115 d)
Earliest precovery date27 March 2003
0.0766555 AU (11,467,500 km)
Eccentricity0.1184102
+250.88 days
99.239°
1° 26m 5.896s / day
Inclination29.40421° (to ecliptic)
66.06734°
342.09685°
Satellite ofJupiter
GroupHimalia group
Physical characteristics
≈3 km[3]
Albedo0.04 (assumed)[3]
23.3[3]
16.5[1]

S/2018 J 2 is a small outer natural satellite of Jupiter discovered by Scott S. Sheppard on 12 May 2018, using the 4.0-meter Víctor M. Blanco Telescope at Cerro Tololo Observatory, Chile. It was announced by the Minor Planet Center four years later on 20 December 2022, after observations were collected over a long enough time span to confirm the satellite's orbit. The satellite has been found in precovery observations as early as 27 March 2003.[1]

S/2018 J 2 is part of the Himalia group, a tight cluster of prograde irregular moons of Jupiter that follow similar orbits to Himalia at semi-major axes between 11–12 million km (6.8–7.5 million mi) and inclinations between 26–31°.[3] With an estimated diameter of 3 km (1.9 mi) for an absolute magnitude of 16.5, it is among the smallest known members of the Himalia group.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "MPEC 2022-Y68 : S/2018 J 2". Minor Planet Electronic Circulars. Minor Planet Center. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Planetary Satellite Discovery Circumstances". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sheppard, Scott S. "Moons of Jupiter". Earth & Planets Laboratory. Carnegie Institution for Science. Retrieved 20 December 2022.


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