New moons found orbiting Neptune and Uranus
11:06 AM EST, February 27, 2024
The newly identified moons are among the smallest and darkest celestial bodies within the Solar System, making their detection a considerable challenge for astronomers. Typically, these distant, natural satellites are difficult to observe due to their diminutive size and low reflectivity.
Uranus and Neptune, the Solar System's furthest and least explored planets, continue to surprise the scientific community. Prior to this discovery, Uranus was known to have 27 moons, and Neptune had 14, with the latter's last moon, Hippocamp, discovered in 2013.
Designated S/2023 U1, this new Uranus moon measures approximately 5 miles in diameter and follows a distinctive, eccentric orbit. Completing an orbit around Uranus takes about 680 days. In line with tradition, it will soon receive a name from a character in William Shakespeare's plays or the works of Alexander Pope, joining the likes of Titania, Uriel, Ariel, and Miranda.
This addition brings to light the possibility of even more undiscovered minor moons orbiting these distant giants, contributing to the over 200 moons now cataloged in our Solar System. Dr. Scott S. Sheppard's contributions to celestial discoveries, including the identification of multiple moons, asteroids, and comets, have been widely recognized, with an asteroid named (17898) Scottsheppard in his honor.