Discovery: Himalia was discovered on December 3, 1904, by the American astronomer Charles Dillon Perrine at the Lick Observatory in California. It was the first moon of Jupiter to be discovered by an American astronomer.
Physical Characteristics: Himalia is one of the larger irregular moons of Jupiter. It has an irregular shape and is not spherical like the Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto). The exact size and composition of Himalia are not well-known, but it is estimated to have a diameter of approximately 170 kilometers (about 106 miles).
Orbit: Himalia follows a prograde orbit around Jupiter, which means it orbits in the same direction as the planet's rotation. Its orbit is highly eccentric (elongated) and inclined, which is characteristic of irregular moons. Himalia's orbital period, the time it takes to complete one orbit around Jupiter, is about 250 Earth days.
Group Membership: Himalia belongs to a group of irregular moons around Jupiter known as the "Himalia Group." This group includes other moons like Leda, Lysithea, and Elara. These moons share similar orbital characteristics and are believed to have a common origin.
Name Origin: Himalia is named after the nymph Himalia in Greek mythology. She was one of the many lovers of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.
Exploration: As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Himalia has not been visited by any spacecraft, and detailed information about its surface and composition is limited to observations from Earth-based telescopes.
Himalia is part of Jupiter's extensive moon system, which includes both regular and irregular moons. It plays a role in the broader study of the planet's gravitational interactions with its moons and the dynamics of its moon system.
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