The Little Prince

Alternative name: Also known as: S/1998 (45) 1

Moon
Physical Properties
Mean Radius
13km
Equatorial Radius
0km
Polar Radius
0km
Mass
1.20e+15 kg
Volume
Density
1g/cm³
Gravity
0m/s²
Escape Velocity
0m/s
Flattening
0
Average Temperature
0.0 K (-273.1 °C)
Axial Tilt
0°
Semimajor Axis
1,184km
Perihelion
0km
Aphelion
0km
Eccentricity
0.01
Inclination
8°
Sidereal Orbit
0.00 hours
Sidereal Rotation
0 seconds
Mean Anomaly
0°
Argument of Periapsis
0°
Longitude of Ascending Node
0°

Overview of The Little Prince

The Little Prince is a fascinating moon in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a The Little Prince radius of 13 km, making it 490.1× 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 1,184 km (0.000 AU) from the Sun, The Little Prince occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As a moon, The Little Prince demonstrates the incredible diversity of natural satellites that orbit larger celestial bodies throughout our Solar System.

Physical Characteristics

The The Little Prince physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The The Little Prince radius measures 13 km, making it 490.1× smaller than Earth's size. The The Little Prince mass of 1.20e+15 kg represents 4976666666.7× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

Orbital Properties

The The Little Prince orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The The Little Prince orbit has a semimajor axis of 1,184 km (0.000 AU), placing it 126349.7× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. The The Little Prince orbit is nearly circular with an eccentricity of 0.01 (1.7× smaller than Earth's orbital eccentricity), resulting in relatively stable solar heating throughout its year. The The Little Prince orbit takes 0.00 hours to complete (6629863.3× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of indicates how much the The Little Prince 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.

Rotation and Tilt

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

Temperature and Atmosphere

The The Little Prince temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The The Little Prince average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make The Little Prince 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), The Little Prince presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being closer to the Sun than Earth, The Little Prince receives more intense solar radiation, contributing to its temperature profile.

Escape Velocity & Flattening

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

FAQs About The Little Prince

How big is The Little Prince compared to Earth?

The Little Prince has a radius of 13 km, making it 490.1× smaller than Earth's size. In terms of volume, The Little Prince is 0.0× the size of Earth. This size difference significantly impacts the planet's gravity, atmospheric retention, geological processes, and overall planetary characteristics.

How far is The Little Prince from the Sun?

The Little Prince orbits at an average distance of 1,184 km (0.000 AU) from the Sun, placing it 126349.7× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. This distance determines the amount of solar radiation the planet receives and significantly influences its temperature and climate.

How long is a year on The Little Prince?

A year on The Little Prince lasts 0.00 hours (6629863.3× smaller than Earth's orbital period). This orbital period defines the length of the planet's year and affects seasonal patterns, temperature variations, and the overall climate cycle.

What is The Little Prince made of?

The Little Prince has a density of 1 g/cm³ (5.5× smaller than Earth's density). This density provides important clues about the planet's internal composition. The low density indicates a composition dominated by lighter elements, characteristic of gas giants or icy bodies.

Does The Little Prince have seasons?

The Little Prince has an axial tilt of . With minimal axial tilt, the planet experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year.
Discovery Information
Discovered By
W. J. Merline, L. M. Close, C. Dumas, C. R. Chapman, F. Roddier, F. Menard, D. C. Slater, G. Duvert, J. C. Shelton, T. Morgan
Discovery Date
01/11/1999
Raw Data
Orbits AroundParent Body