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

Psamathe — A natural satellite of Neptune. 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
Psamathe was discovered in 2003. JPL credits S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna. Its provisional designation is S/2003 N1. The name and discovery entry identify this particular satellite of Neptune; similarly named asteroids are separate objects.

Psamathe was discovered by Scott S. Sheppard, David C. Jewitt and Jan T. Kleyna Aug. 29, 2003 using the 8.3-m Subaru reflector at the Mauna Kea Observatory on the island of Hawaii.

Psamathe is so distant from Neptune it takes almost 26 Earth years to make a single orbit around the ice giant. The moon's orbit is among the most distant from its planet than any other known moon in our solar system.

The small moon shares similar orbital parameters with with another moon of Neptune―Neso. Both Psamathe and Neso may be fragments from the break-up of a larger moon billions of years ago.

Psamathe like many of the satellites of Neptune, is named after one of the Nereids. Psamathe was originally designated S/2003 N 1.