Metis

Metis is a fascinating moon in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a Metis radius of 22 km, making it 289.6× 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 128,000 km (0.001 AU) from the Sun, Metis occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As a moon, Metis demonstrates the incredible diversity of natural satellites that orbit larger celestial bodies throughout our Solar System.

The Metis physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The Metis radius measures 22 km, making it 289.6× smaller than Earth's size. The Metis mass of 1.00e+17 kg represents 59720000.0× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence. The Metis density of 1 g/cm³ (5.5× smaller than Earth's density) provides clues about its internal composition, while the surface gravity of 0.005 m/s² (1962.0× 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 Metis orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The Metis orbit has a semimajor axis of 128,000 km (0.001 AU), placing it 1168.7× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), Metis comes within 127,974 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 128,026 km, creating a 0.0% variation in solar distance. The Metis orbit is nearly circular with an eccentricity of 0.001 (16.7× smaller than Earth's orbital eccentricity), resulting in relatively stable solar heating throughout its year. The Metis orbit takes 0.00 hours to complete (107056616.8× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 0.019° indicates how much the Metis orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This low inclination means Metis follows a path very close to the plane where most planets orbit, suggesting a stable formation history.

The Metis rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The Metis rotation period of 0.00 hours (121786.7× smaller than Earth's rotation period) determines the length of its day. This extremely fast rotation creates intense centrifugal forces and may contribute to the planet's flattened shape. The Metis axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, Metis experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about Metis'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 Metis temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The Metis average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make Metis 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), Metis presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being closer to the Sun than Earth, Metis receives more intense solar radiation, contributing to its temperature profile.

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