Evolution of Small moons



Shown is an image of Proteus, a moon of Neptune.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The small moons are too small to be seen, so not much is known about their surface features or composition. With no knowledge of the composition, and no clues from the surface, little can be determined about the course of their evolution. Nevertheless, from the location of some of the moons, as well as their shape, it can be determined that some moons are fragments of a larger moon, or are captured asteroids. Examples of moons such as these are Epimetheus, Janus, and Hyperion.

It is thought that most small moons are icy, however. Therefore their evolution would follow a similar course to that of other icy moons.



Evolution of Small moons



Shown is an image of Proteus, a moon of Neptune.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The small moons are too small to be seen, so not much is known about their surface or composition. With no knowledge of the composition, and no clues from the surface, little can be determined about the course of their history. Nevertheless, from the location of some of the moons, as well as their shape, it can be said that some moons are pieces of a larger moon, or are captured asteroids. Examples of moons such as these are Epimetheus, Janus, and Hyperion.

It is thought that most small moons are composed of ice, however. Therefore their evolution would follow a similar course to that of other icy moons.



Evolution of Small moons



Shown is an image of Proteus, a moon of Neptune.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The small moons are too small to be seen, so it is hard to say anything about what they are made of, or what their history might be.

Some of the small moons may be little pieces of another, bigger, moon which broke apart. Or they may be captured asteroids. Examples of moons such as these are Epimetheus, Janus, and Hyperion.




Last modified June 11, 1996 by the Windows Team

The source of this material is Windows to the Universe, at http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). © The Regents of the University of Michigan. Windows to the Universe® is a registered trademark of UCAR. All Rights Reserved. Site policies and disclaimer