Astronomy:Sponde

Sponde

Discovery images of Sponde by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in December 2001
Discovery
Discovered by	Scott S. Sheppard et al.
Discovery site	Mauna Kea Obs.
Discovery date	9 December 2001
Designations
Designation	Jupiter XXXVI
Pronunciation	/ˈspɒndiː/
Named after	Σπονδή Spondē
Alternative names	S/2001 J 5
Adjectives	Spondean /ˌspɒnˈdiːən/
Orbital characteristics
Semi-major axis	23487000 km
Eccentricity	0.312
Orbital period	−734.89 days
Inclination	151.0°
Satellite of	Jupiter
Group	Pasiphae group
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter	2 km
Apparent magnitude	23.0
Absolute magnitude (H)	16.7

Sponde /ˈspɒndiː/, also known as Jupiter XXXVI, is a natural satellite of Jupiter. It was discovered by a team of astronomers from the University of Hawaii led by Scott S. Sheppard in 2001, and given the temporary designation S/2001 J 5.

Sponde is about 2 kilometres in diameter, and orbits Jupiter at an average distance of 24,253,000 km in 734.89 days, at an inclination of 154° to the ecliptic (156° to Jupiter's equator), in a retrograde direction and with an eccentricity of 0.443.

It was named in August 2003 after one of the Horae (Hours), which presided over the seventh hour (libations poured after lunch). The Hours, goddesses of the time of day but also of the seasons, were daughters of Zeus (Jupiter) and Themis.

It belongs to the Pasiphae group, irregular retrograde moons orbiting Jupiter at distances ranging between 22.8 and 24.1 Gm, and with inclinations ranging between 144.5° and 158.3°.