Neptune's Small Moons

Neptune's innermost four moons are

Naiad

Neptune III

   Naiad ( "NAY ed" ) is the innermost of Neptune's known satellites: 
        orbit:    48ĦA200 km from Neptune
        diameter: 58 km
        mass:     ?
   The Naiads were the nymphs who lived in and presided over brooksĦA springsĦA and fountains.

   The last of the satellites discovered in 1989 by Voyager 2.

   NaiadĦA ThalassaĦA Despina and Galatea are all irregularly shaped.

More about Naiad

Thalassa

Neptune IV

   Thalassa ("tuh LASS eh") is the second of Neptune's known satellites: 
        orbit:    50ĦA000 km from Neptune
        diameter: 80 km
        mass:     ?
   Thalassa was a daughter of Aether and Hemera. "Thalassa" is also the Greek word for "sea".

   Discovered in 1989 by Voyager 2.

More about Thalassa

Despina

Neptune V

   Despina is the third of Neptune's known satellites: 
        orbit:    52ĦA600 km from Neptune
        diameter: 148 km
        mass:     ?
   Despina was a nymphĦA the daughter of Poseidon (Neptune) and Demeter.

   Discovered in 1989 by Voyager 2.

More about Despina

Galatea

Neptune VI

   Galatea ("gal eh TEE eh") is the fourth of Neptune's known satellites: 
        orbit:    62ĦA000 km from Neptune
        diameter: 158 km
        mass:     ?
   Galatea was a Sicilian Nereid loved by the Cyclops Polyphemus. (Not related to the maiden who was originally a statue carved by Pygmalion and who was brought to life by Aphrodite.)

   Discovered in 1989 by Voyager 2.

More about Galatea

Open Issues

Contents ... Neptune ... Naiad / Thalassa / Despina / Galatea ... Larissa ... Data Host
Bill Arnett; last updated: 1997 July 31