Methone

Methone is a fascinating moon in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a Methone radius of 1.6 km, making it 3981.9× 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 194,000 km (0.001 AU) from the Sun, Methone occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As a moon, Methone demonstrates the incredible diversity of natural satellites that orbit larger celestial bodies throughout our Solar System.

The Methone physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The Methone radius measures 1.6 km, making it 3981.9× smaller than Earth's size. The Methone mass of 2.00e+13 kg represents 298600000000.0× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The Methone orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The Methone orbit has a semimajor axis of 194,000 km (0.001 AU), placing it 771.1× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), Methone comes within 194,421 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 194,459 km, creating a 0.0% variation in solar distance. The Methone orbit is nearly circular with an eccentricity of 0 (167.0× smaller than Earth's orbital eccentricity), resulting in relatively stable solar heating throughout its year. The Methone orbit takes 0.00 hours to complete (31245692.6× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 0° indicates how much the Methone orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This low inclination means Methone follows a path very close to the plane where most planets orbit, suggesting a stable formation history.

The Methone rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The Methone axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, Methone experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about Methone'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 Methone temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The Methone average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make Methone 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), Methone presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being closer to the Sun than Earth, Methone receives more intense solar radiation, contributing to its temperature profile.

The Methone escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The Methone 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 Methone to retain a substantial atmosphere. The Methone 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.