Ganymede
Properties
Magnitude
4.6
Angular Size
1.7 arcmin
Type: Moon
Distance: 0.007 AU
Orbital Period: 7.2 days
Diameter: 2,631 km
Atmosphere: Thin oxygen
Features: Craters, grooves
Largest moon in solar system.
Position & Identifiers
Physical Properties
Diameter
2,631 km
(0.21× Earth)
Mass
1.48e23 kg
Albedo
0.44
(44% reflected)
Temperature
-193°C to -113°C
Rotation
7.2 days
Atmosphere
Thin oxygen
Surface
Craters, grooves
Angular Size
0.7″ (current)
Orbital Properties
Semi-major Axis
0.0072 AU
(1,070,373 km)
Eccentricity
0.0010
Inclination
0.20°
Orbital Period
7.2 days
Distance
5.031 AU
(41.8 light-min)
Elongation
96.6°
Good
Observing Tips
Best Months
May
, June
, July
Visibility
Binoculars
Where to Look
Near Jupiter
Notes
Largest moon in solar system.
Parent Body
Discovery
Discovered by
Galileo Galilei
Date
1610
Current Ephemeris
5.031
AU from Earth
752.6M
km
0.7″
Angular Size
97°
Elongation
Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: Kevin M. Gill. License: CC BY 2.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026