![Newfound Moons Orbiting Neptune and Uranus Excite Astronomers 2 urlhttps3A2F2Fassets.apnews.com2Fe62Fb02F007d31e96adbde4c34b9dee498682F07f29ef06bec451fb3b2c26edc7f86e2](https://i0.wp.com/theubj.com/uae/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/urlhttps3A2F2Fassets.apnews.com2Fe62Fb02F007d31e96adbde4c34b9dee498682F07f29ef06bec451fb3b2c26edc7f86e2.jpeg?w=1170)
In a recent stellar discovery, astronomers have identified three new moons within our cosmic neighborhood, enriching the roster of natural satellites for Neptune and Uranus.
Employing the capabilities of high-powered terrestrial telescopes stationed in Hawaii and Chile, researchers unveiled two additional moons around Neptune and one orbiting Uranus, as reported by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center. With this discovery announced last Friday, Neptune’s collection of moons now totals 16, while Uranus boasts 28.
Among Neptune’s newly discovered natural satellites, one holds the record for the most protracted orbital period observed to date. Scott Sheppard from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, part of the discovery team, revealed that it takes this remote moon approximately 27 years to orbit Neptune, the solar system’s outermost ice giant.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn provides insights into the revelation of three additional moons in our solar system.
The discovery of Uranus’s new moon, although it is the smallest known with an estimated width of only 5 miles (8 kilometers), prompts astronomers like Sheppard to believe that there may be a multitude of other yet-undetected small moons in orbit.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How many new moons were discovered?
- Three new moons were discovered, two around Neptune and one orbiting Uranus.
- How long does it take for the new Neptune moon to complete an orbit?
- The newly found Neptune moon takes roughly 27 years to orbit the planet.
- What is the estimated size of the new moon discovered around Uranus?
- The Uranus moon has an estimated diameter of 5 miles (8 kilometers), making it the smallest of that planet’s moons.
- Could there be other undiscovered moons?
- Yes, astronomers like Scott Sheppard suspect that numerous smaller moons could be undiscovered and orbiting the gas giants.
Conclusion
The discovery of new moons around Neptune and Uranus signifies an exciting development in the realm of astronomy. It not only expands our understanding of the outer planets’ celestial bodies but also hints at the potential existence of many more such satellites yet to be found. The ongoing research and use of sophisticated telescopes continue to push the boundaries of celestial discoveries, providing a deeper understanding of our solar system’s dynamics and composition.