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Galatea

Neptune VI

Proper NameGalatea
DesignationNeptune VI
Primary PlanetNeptune
Family / ClassRegular moons
Orbital Period10 hours, 17 minutes
Distance from NeptuneSemi-Major Axis: 62,000 km (near circular orbit)
Eccentricity0.0002
Rotation Period10 hours, 17 minutes (synchronous orbit)
Mean Diameter174 km
108 miles
NotesGalatea is a 'rubble pile' moon, a loose mass of material held together by gravitational forces. It pursues a close orbit of Neptune, just within the Adams Ring, the faint outer ring of Neptune. Indeed, Galatea appears to act as a shepherd moon for this ring, helping to define and maintain its structure.

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