Leda (lee'-da, IPA , Greek Λήδα) is a satellite of Jupiter that was discovered by Charles T. Kowal at the Mount Palomar Observatory on September 14, 1974, right after three nights' worth of photographic plates had been taken (September 11 through 13; Leda appears on all of them). It is named after the queen of Sparta who was the mother of Castor, Polydeuces, Clytemnestra and Helen of Troy (Zeus, in the form of a swan, was the father). It is also designated as Jupiter XIII.
Leda belongs to the Himalia group, five moons orbiting between 11 and 13 Gm from Jupiter at an inclination of about 27.5°.
Not to be confused with the asteroid 38 Leda.
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Last updated: 06-01-2005 21:19:21
