Oberon

Oberon is a fascinating moon in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a Oberon radius of 761.4 km, making it 8.4× 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 583,500 km (0.004 AU) from the Sun, Oberon occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As a moon, Oberon demonstrates the incredible diversity of natural satellites that orbit larger celestial bodies throughout our Solar System.

The Oberon physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The Oberon radius measures 761.4 km, making it 8.4× smaller than Earth's size. The Oberon mass of 2.88e+21 kg represents 2073.6× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The Oberon orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The Oberon orbit has a semimajor axis of 583,500 km (0.004 AU), placing it 256.4× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), Oberon comes within 582,702 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 584,336 km, creating a 0.3% variation in solar distance. The Oberon orbit is nearly circular with an eccentricity of 0.001 (11.9× smaller than Earth's orbital eccentricity), resulting in relatively stable solar heating throughout its year. The Oberon orbit takes 0.00 hours to complete (2344025.1× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 0.07° indicates how much the Oberon orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This low inclination means Oberon follows a path very close to the plane where most planets orbit, suggesting a stable formation history.

The Oberon rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The Oberon rotation period of 0.09 hours (266.7× 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 Oberon axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, Oberon experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about Oberon'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 Oberon temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The Oberon average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make Oberon 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), Oberon presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being closer to the Sun than Earth, Oberon receives more intense solar radiation, contributing to its temperature profile.

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