ELARA - MOON OF JUPITER

Elara, discovered by Charles Perrine in 1905, is named after the daughter of King Orchomenus and the mother of the giant Tityos.

Orbit

Elara orbits Jupiter at a distance of 11.74 million kilometres, taking nearly 260 days to complete one orbit. Elara's orbit is eccentric, a common attribute of Jupiter's small moons. Elara, Leda, Himalia, and Lysithea were possibly formed by the capture and subsequent destruction of an asteroid.

Orbits of the inner group of Jupiter's outer moons.

Physical properties

Elara has a diameter of about 80 kilometres.

Interior

There is no information concerning the interior of Elara.

Magnetic field

No magnetic field has been detected.

Surface

Nothing is known about the surface of Elara.

Atmosphere

No atmosphere has been detected, and it is highly unlikely that a moon like Elara could possess a permanent atmosphere.