Oberon

This Voyager 2 picture of Oberon is the best the spacecraft acquired of Uranus' second-largest moon.
This Voyager 2 picture of Oberon is the best the spacecraft acquired of Uranus' second-largest moon.
NASA/JPL

Discovery

Oberon was discovered in Jan. 11, 1787 by William Herschel.

Overview

Oberon is the second largest moon of Uranus. Discovered in 1787, little was known about this moon until Voyager 2 passed it during its flyby of Uranus in January 1986. Oberon is heavily cratered―similar to Umbriel―especially when compared to three other moons of Uranus: Ariel, Titania and Miranda. Like all of Uranus' large moons, Oberon is composed of roughly half ice and half rock. Oberon has at least one large mountain that rises about 6 km off the surface.

A 3D model of Oberon, a moon of Uranus.
NASA Visualization Technology Applications and Development (VTAD)

How Oberon Got its Name

Named by Herschel's son John in early 19th century for the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

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