Facts for Kids
Larissa, also known as Neptune VII, is a fascinating moon orbiting Neptune, discovered in 1981, and is about 193 kilometers in diameter.
Overview
Surface Features
Orbit And Rotation
Cultural References
Discovery Of Larissa
Exploration Missions
Atmospheric Composition
Physical Characteristics
Potential For Exploration
Future Research Directions
Comparison With Other Neptunian Moons
Inside this Article
Greek Mythology
Information
Atmosphere
Spacecraft
Basketball
Voyager 2
Science
Neptune
Future
Triton
Moon
Did you know?
🌌 Larissa is a moon that orbits the giant planet Neptune!
🔭 It was discovered in 1981 and is named after a character in Greek mythology.
🌕 Larissa is classified as Neptune VII and is the fifth-closest moon to Neptune.
🥔 The moon was first seen by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1989 and has a potato-like shape.
🥚 Larissa is about 193 kilometers (120 miles) in diameter, which is smaller than our moon.
🌍 It orbits Neptune at a distance of about 73,000 kilometers (45,000 miles).
🕔 Larissa completes one orbit around Neptune in just 5.3 hours!
🎉 Its surface is covered with craters and dark material, and it is icy.
🌬️ Larissa has a very thin atmosphere made mostly of hydrogen and nitrogen.
🚀 Future missions may explore Larissa more closely to learn about its icy surface and features.
Introduction
It was discovered in 1981 and is named after a character in Greek mythology. Larissa is the fifth-closest moon to Neptune and is classified as Neptune VII. The moon is a bit smaller than our own Moon, measuring about 193 kilometers (120 miles) in diameter. Larissa is part of a group of inner moons that helps scientists learn more about Neptune and its system of moons! 🌕
Surface Features
Its surface is covered in craters which were formed when rocks hit the moon. Some of these craters might even be really old! Scientists believe the moon is icy, which is exciting because icy surfaces are interesting to study. ❄
️ The surface also seems to have unique patterns, which makes it even more mysterious! Understanding these features helps scientists learn about the history of the moon.
Orbit And Rotation
It takes about 5.3 hours to complete one trip around Neptune! That’s super-fast! 🕔
Just like spinning around in circles, Larissa spins on its axis too. It also has an orbit that is very round, which helps it stay close to Neptune. Scientists study this orbit to learn more about how moons and planets interact!
Cultural References
In mythology, Larissa represents a city and has various tales associated with it. 🌌
This connection to cultural stories adds another layer to our understanding of the moon. Kids often learn about mythology in school, linking science and stories together! Books, movies, and arts frequently reference the wonders of space, including titles that mention Larissa and other celestial bodies, making them a fun topic for discussions!
Discovery Of Larissa
Voyager 2 is a space probe that traveled from Earth to explore the outer planets of our solar system. When scientists first saw Larissa, they found it was dark and a little bit shaped like a potato! 🥔
Thanks to Voyager 2, we now know many facts about this unique moon and its place in the cosmos.
Exploration Missions
Since then, we have learned so much about Larissa. Even though there haven’t been other missions specifically targeting Larissa, scientists are keen to explore more about it in the future. 🛰
More space missions are being planned, and similar missions could tell us more.
Atmospheric Composition
️ Most of the time, it can be hardly noticed. This atmosphere consists mostly of hydrogen and nitrogen. 🌌
It’s different from Earth’s atmosphere, which has oxygen that we breathe! Because its atmosphere is so thin, you wouldn’t be able to breathe on Larissa. Scientists study its thin atmosphere to understand how moons and planets change over time!
Physical Characteristics
Its surface is made up of ice and dark material which makes it look pretty dark! Larissa’s gravity is very weak, which means if you jumped on it, you could float easily! 🌌
This weak gravity allows particles to stick to the surface without being too squished down.
Potential For Exploration
Scientists think that discovering more about Larissa could help us understand the icy worlds in our solar system better. The moon could have interesting compositions and features that we haven’t seen yet! 🚀
Future space missions could take a closer look at its craters and icy surface, revealing secrets that help people learn more about Neptune and its moons!
Future Research Directions
Future telescopes and spacecraft may provide us with even more information. 🚀
Some scientists are especially interested in studying the frozen surface, craters, and atmosphere of Larissa to learn about its history. There might even be future missions dedicated to Neptune's moons! Kids today could be the space explorers of tomorrow, making new discoveries about Larissa! 🌠
Comparison With Other Neptunian Moons
Comparing it to its neighbor, Triton, which is much larger, shows just how diverse Neptune's moons are. Triton is about 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) in diameter, while Larissa is only about 193 kilometers (120 miles). 🌍
While Triton has a thin atmosphere and active geysers, Larissa is mostly calm with its quiet dark features. This comparison helps scientists study the variety of moons in our solar system.
Larissa Quiz
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