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Named after an Oceanid, daughter of Tethys and Oceanus, and first wife of Jupiter. He devoured her lest she bear a child more powerful than he. She personalizes prudence. (H 2)

The planet was discovered at the private observatory of Mr. Cooper who delegated to the discoverer the choice of a name from either Metis, put forward by Robinson, Armagh or Thetis suggested by J. Herschel. The name Thetis was later given to planet  (17).

The name Metis has also been given to the satellite Jupiter XVI, discovered 1979 by S. P. Synnott. Open image in new window