Lysithea

Lysithea is a fascinating moon in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a Lysithea radius of 12 km, making it 530.9× smaller than Earth's size, this celestial body presents unique characteristics that distinguish it from other objects in our cosmic neighborhood. Positioned at an average distance of 1.17e+7 km (0.078 AU) from the Sun, Lysithea occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As a moon, Lysithea demonstrates the incredible diversity of natural satellites that orbit larger celestial bodies throughout our Solar System.

The Lysithea physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The Lysithea radius measures 12 km, making it 530.9× smaller than Earth's size. The Lysithea mass of 8.00e+16 kg represents 74650000.0× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence. The Lysithea density of 1 g/cm³ (5.5× smaller than Earth's density) provides clues about its internal composition, while the surface gravity of 0.013 m/s² (754.6× smaller than Earth's gravity) determines how objects behave on its surface. The low density indicates a composition dominated by lighter elements, characteristic of gas giants or icy bodies.

The Lysithea orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The Lysithea orbit has a semimajor axis of 1.17e+7 km (0.078 AU), placing it 12.8× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. The Lysithea orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.112 (6.7× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The Lysithea orbit takes 0.07 hours to complete (121742.7× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 28.3° indicates how much the Lysithea orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This moderate inclination indicates a typical orbital evolution for objects in this region of the Solar System.

The Lysithea rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The Lysithea axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, Lysithea experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about Lysithea's position in space. The mean anomaly of 0° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 0° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 0° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.

The Lysithea temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The Lysithea average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make Lysithea inhospitable to life as we know it, with any atmosphere likely frozen solid on the surface. Compared to Earth's average temperature of 15°C (59°F), Lysithea presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being closer to the Sun than Earth, Lysithea receives more intense solar radiation, contributing to its temperature profile. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The Lysithea escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The Lysithea escape velocity of 0 m/s determines how easily objects can break free from its gravitational pull. This relatively low escape velocity means that gases and light molecules can easily escape into space, making it difficult for Lysithea to retain a substantial atmosphere. The Lysithea flattening of 0.0000% indicates how much the planet's rotation affects its shape. This minimal flattening suggests a nearly spherical shape, indicating either slow rotation or a very rigid internal structure.