 Edward Emerson Barnard discovered the moon on 9 September 1892 and named it after Amalthea of Greek mythology.It was the last natural satellite to be discovered by direct visual observation; all later moons were discovered by photographic or digital imaging.Amalthea is in a close orbit around Jupiter and is within the outer edge of the Amalthea Gossamer Ring which is formed from dust ejected from its surface.