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Today in History: Himalia: Jupiter's Largest Irregular Moon Discovered

12/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On December 3, 1904, astronomer Charles Dillon Perrine discovered Himalia, the largest irregular moon of Jupiter, at the Lick Observatory in California. With a diameter of at least 140 km, Himalia is named after a nymph from Greek mythology and remains one of the largest moons in the Solar System not yet imaged in detail.

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Story summary

On December 3, 1904, astronomer Charles Dillon Perrine discovered Himalia, the largest irregular moon of Jupiter, at the Lick Observatory in California. With a diameter of at least 140 km, Himalia is named after a nymph from Greek mythology and remains one of the largest moons in the Solar System not yet imaged in detail.