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Concept information

Preferred term

Callisto  

Definition

  • Callisto is the second largest moon of Jupiter and the third largest in the solar system, after Ganymede and Titan. Orbiting beyond Jupiter's main radiation belts, Callisto is the outermost of the Galilean satellites. It also has the lowest density of the Galilean satellites and probably a very different internal structure. The interiors of the other three big Jovian moons are thought to be completely differentiated, with clear boundaries between core, mantle, and crust. This is probably due to gravitational squeezing by Jupiter which helped keep the interior of the inner Galileans molten long enough for heavier materials to settle fully at the greater depths. Being further out, Callisto seems to have arrested early in its development so that its internal rock is not fully segregated. (Encyclopedia of Science, by David Darling, https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/Callisto.html)

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • Jupiter IV

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-JM7MV4KS-J

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