Prospero is a moon of Uranus, part of the Solar System in the universe. Uranus is a planet associated with the Sun, our star, and this space encyclopedia describes the moon’s identity and place in its planetary system.

Prospero — A natural satellite of Uranus. Its physical properties and orbital motion are shown from the available catalogue and ephemeris data.

No object-specific chemical/elemental dataset has been verified and imported for this record. This does not mean none is publicly available. Appearance may be imagined; chemistry is not.

Discovery and designation
Prospero was discovered in 1999. JPL credits M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman, J.-M. Petit, H. Scholl. Its provisional designation is S/1999 U3. The name and discovery entry identify this particular satellite of Uranus; similarly named asteroids are separate objects.

Prospero was discovered July 18, 1999 by Matthew J. Holman, John J. Kavelaars, Brett J. Gladman, Jean-Marc Petit, and Hans Scholl using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatory on the island of Hawaii. They discovered Setebos and Stephano at the same time.

At about 31 miles (50 kilometers) in diameter, Prospero is a small, dark, irregular moon that orbits Uranus in the opposite direction from the regular satellites and the rotation of the planet, itself (known as a retrograde orbit). Its orbital characteristics are similar to those of Sycorax and Setebos, suggesting a common origin. But its gray color differs from the light red color of Sycorax, implying a different origin.

Originally called S/1999 U3, Prospero was named for a sorcerer in William Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest." Prospero, rightfully Duke of Milan, has his dukedom usurped by his brother Antonio with the help of Alonso, King of Naples. He is forced to flee with his daughter Miranda to an island in the Mediterranean, where he perfects his magical powers, hoping to use them to regain his dukedom.