1Callisto

__CALLIST O__
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__ BASIC DESCRIPTION __
= = The 4 moons discovered by Gallileo in 1610 are known as the the Galilean satelites. The four Galilean moons are Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa. Each of the 4 Galilean are unique in all of there features, surfaces, and atmospheres. They are 4 of the 6 largest satelites in our solar system. Ganymede being even larger than mercury.

__Specific Description__
Callisto was 1 of the four Galilean satelites discovered by Gallileo Gallilea in 1610. It is the second largest moon of jupiter and the third largest satellite in our solar system being smaller than Ganymede and Titan. Just like Europa it may one day be able to house life, whether it being its own or ours.

__General Knowledge__
Callisto was discovered in 1610 by an astronomer by the name of Gallileo Galilea. the diameter is 2,996 miles across and its orbital period is 16.69 days. Callisto also has the lowest density of all of Jupiters moons mainly because it is mostly ice with much less rock than the other moons. Callisto is actually 40 percent dirty ice and 60 percent rock/iron. It is about the size of Mercury being only smaller than Titan, and Ganymede (the 2 largest satelites in our solar system). Callisto was actually named after a mythological nymph. Just like all of the other women named moons of Jupiter, Callisto was pursued by Zues who fell in love with her and actually disguised himself as apollo to win her over. Then in disguise he raped Callisto. Callisto then broke her vow of chastity and then hera turned her into a bear. Besides being one of the largest, Callisto is also the heaviest cratered satelite in our solar system, with 2 of its craters being enormous which names are Valhalla and Asgard. Just like Europa (another of the Gallilean satelites) ice on its surface 124 miles deep to be excact with a possible chance of underground oceans. Its crust is some of the oldest in the solar system and dates back over 4 billion years. Callisto has no surface features with the exception of craters and ceocentric rings. The core of Callisto is just a mix of rock and ice. Callisto orbits just outside of Jupiters radiation belt. The main gas of Callistos atmosphere is carbon dioxide which is probably continually replenished from the constant sublimination of the carbon dioxide ice in the icy crust. Callisto is also being considered for one of the outer planets to be colonized for fuel and because it is far away from jupiters radiation zone.



__Quick Facts__
1. Callisto is the most heavily cratered Satelite in our solar system. 2. 3rd largest satelite in our solar system. 3. Named after a river nymph. 4. The only planets features are craters. 5. Has the lowest density out of all of Jupiters moons. 6. Just like Europa it may have a salty ocean under the crust. 7. Almost as big as Mercury and is even bigger than our moon. 8. Callisto actually has oxygen on its surface. 9. Has some of the oldest crust in the solar system dating back over 4 billion years 10. Callisto has synchronous rotaion. 11. It is the outermost satellite of the four Galilean satelites.

__External Links__ [[image:images.jpg align="left" caption="A side view of Callisto"]]
=1. [|www.solarviews.com/eng/callisto.html]= =2. [|www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/c/callisto.html]=

__Info References__
"Altlas of the Universe", Garlick Mark, Shena Coupe. Sydney 2006 "Jupiter and Saturn", Elains-Tanton, Linds Chealsea. House NY 2006 "Solarviews.com", Hamilton Calvin. 97-05