Miranda (moon)

Miranda

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Discovery
Discovered by	Gerard Kuiper
Discovered in	1948
Orbital characteristics
Mean radius	129,872 km
Eccentricity	~0.0013
Orbital period	1.413479d
Inclination	4.34°
Is a satellite of	Uranus
Physical characteristics
Equatorial diameter	471.6 km
Surface area	km2
Mass	6.59×1019 kg
Mean density	1.20 g/cm3
Surface gravity	0.079 m/s2
Rotation period	?
Axial tilt	?°
Albedo	0.34
Surface temp.	min mean max K 86°K K
Atmospheric pressure	0 kPa

Miranda is the smallest and innermost of Uranus' major moons. Discovered in 1948 by Gerard Kuiper, it roughly half water ice with the remainder being divided between silicate rock and methane-related organic compounds. Miranda's surface is criss-crossed by huge canyons up to 12 miles deep, with patchwork regions of broken terrain indicating intense geological activity in the moon's past. It is thought that this activity is likely powered by tidal forces from Uranus, but another theory suggests that Miranda was at some point struck by a massive object that partially shattered the moon.

External links:

• http://www.solarviews.com/eng/miranda.htm

Referenced By