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Mab (moon)

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Mab
Discovery
Discovered byMark R. Showalter and Jack J. Lissauer
Discovery dateAugust 25, 2003
Designations
Uranus XXVI (26)
Orbital characteristics
97,736 km
Eccentricity0.0025
0.923 d
7.70 km/s (calculated)
Inclination0.1335° (to Uranus' equator)
Satellite ofUranus
Physical characteristics
6–12 km[1]
~1,900 km²
Volume~8,000 km³
Mass~1 × 1015 kg
Mean density
~1.3 g/cm³
~0.0044 m/s²
~0.011 km/s
synchronous
0
Albedo0.103 (assumed)
Temperature~63 K
26[2]

Mab (/ˈmæb/ MAB), or Uranus XXVI (26), is an inner satellite of Uranus. It was discovered by Mark R. Showalter and Jack J. Lissauer in 2003 using the Hubble Space Telescope.[3] It was named after Queen Mab, a fairy queen from English folklore who is mentioned in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.[4]

Because the moon is small and dark, it was not seen in the heavily scrutinized images taken by Voyager 2 during its Uranus flyby in 1986. However, it is brighter than another moon, Perdita, which was discovered from Voyager's photos in 1997. This led scientists to re-examine the old photos again, and the satellite was finally found in the images.[1]

The size of Mab is not known exactly. If it is as dark as Puck, it is about 24 km in diameter. On the other hand, if it is brightly coloured like the neighbouring moon Miranda, it would be even smaller than Cupid and comparable to the smallest outer satellites.[1]

Mab is heavily perturbed. The actual source for perturbation is still unclear, but is presumed to be one or more of the nearby orbiting moons.[1]

Mab orbits at the same distance from Uranus as the μ ring (formerly known as R/2003 U 1), a recently discovered dusty ring. The moon is nearly the optimal size for dust production, since larger moons can recollect the escaping dust and smaller moons have too small surface areas for supplying the ring via ring particle or meteoroid collisions.[5] No rings associated with Perdita and Cupid have been found, probably because Belinda limits the lifetimes of dust they generate.[1]

Following its discovery, Mab was given the temporary designation S/2003 U 1.[3] The moon is also designated Uranus XXVI.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Showalter, Mark R.; Lissauer, Jack J. (2006-02-17). "The Second Ring-Moon System of Uranus: Discovery and Dynamics". Science. 311 (5763): 973–977. Bibcode:2006Sci...311..973S. doi:10.1126/science.1122882. PMID 16373533. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  2. ^ Sheppard, Scott S. "Uranus' Known Satellites". Carnegie Institution (Department of Terrestrial Magnetism). Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  3. ^ a b Showalter, Mark R.; Lissauer, Jack J. (September 25, 2003). "S/2003 U 1 and S/2003 U 2". IAU Circular. 8209. ISSN 0081-0304. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  4. ^ a b "Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology. July 21, 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  5. ^ Layton, Laura (December 28, 2005). "Uranus' second ring-moon system". Astronomy.com. Astronomy Magazine. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved 2014-11-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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