Voyager 2 image of Galatea.

GALATEA - MOON OF NEPTUNE

Galatea was a Nereid (water nymph). She was loved by Acis, a Sicilian shepherd. In jealousy the Cyclops Polyphemus killed him with a boulder. From his blood, Galatea created Sicily's River Acis.

It was discovered in 1989 in Voyager 2 images.

Orbit

Galatea orbits Neptune at a distance of 62,000 kilometres. It travels nearly in Neptune's equatorial plane (inclination 0.05o) in a circular orbit (zero eccentricity).

The orbits of Neptune's inner moons.

Physical properties

Galatea is about 180 kilometres across. Its mass and density are unknown.

Interior

The interior and composition of Galatea is unknown.

Magnetic field

No magnetic field has been detected.

Atmosphere

No atmosphere has been detected.

Surface

In the available image of Galatea, the moon appears elongated because it is smeared by the motion of the spacecraft. At one end, however, a crater can be seen.