Oberon is one of Uranus’ major moons and is notable for its size and surface features. It is the second largest of Uranus’ moons and it is characterised by its heavily cratered surface and icy-rock composition. It provides insights into the impact history and geological evolution of the Uranian system.

1. 1. Physical Characteristics

• • • Diameter: Oberon has a diameter of about 1,523 km (946 miles), making it the second-largest moon of Uranus.
    • Mass: Its mass is approximately 3.15 x 10^20 kg.
    • Density: Oberon’s average density is about 1.63 g/cm³, suggesting a composition of both rock and ice.

 

1. 2. Surface Features

• • • Surface Composition: Oberon’s surface is primarily composed of water ice and rock. It is heavily cratered, indicating an old and geologically inactive surface.
    • Craters: The moon features numerous impact craters, with some of the largest being Hamlet and Cervantes. The craters are often surrounded by bright ray systems of ejecta.
    • Rille and Grooves: Oberon also has a few long, linear features called rille and grooves, which are thought to be the result of tectonic stresses or impacts.

 

1. 3. Orbit

• • • Orbit around Uranus: Oberon orbits Uranus at an average distance of about 583,500 km (362,600 miles). Its orbital period is approximately 13.5 Earth days.
    • Synchronous Rotation: Like most of Uranus’ moons, Oberon is tidally locked with Uranus, meaning it keeps the same side facing the planet.

 

1. 4. Temperature

Oberon’s surface temperatures are extremely cold, averaging around -193°C (-315°F). These temperatures are consistent with its distance from the Sun and its icy composition.

 

1. 5. Exploration

Voyager 2 Mission: Oberon was visited by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft during its flyby of Uranus in 1986. Voyager 2 provided the first detailed images and data on Oberon’s surface, revealing its heavily cratered terrain and large impact features.

 

1. 6. Scientific Significance

• • • Geological History: Oberon’s heavily cratered surface provides valuable information about the history of impacts in the Uranian system and the geological processes that have shaped its surface.
    • Surface Composition: The study of Oberon helps scientists understand the composition and surface features of icy moons, including the role of impacts and internal processes in their evolution.

 

1. 7. Interesting Facts

Oberon is named after a character from Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This naming convention is common for Uranus’ moons, which are named after characters from Shakespeare’s works and Alexander Pope’s poetry.