Astronomers spot new tiny moons around Neptune and Uranus


PTI, Feb 24, 2024, 8:57 AM IST

Astronomers have found three previously unknown moons in our solar system — two additional moons circling Neptune and one around Uranus. The distant tiny moons were spotted using powerful land-based telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, and announced Friday by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center. The latest tally puts Neptune at 16 known moons and Uranus at 28.

One of Neptune’s new moons has the longest known orbital journey yet. It takes around 27 years for the small outer moon to complete one lap around Neptune, the vast icy planet farthest from the sun, said Scott Sheppard, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington who helped make the discovery. The new moon orbiting Uranus, with an estimated diameter of just 5 miles (8 kilometers), is likely the smallest of the planet’s moons. “We suspect that there may be many more smaller moons” yet to be discovered, he said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

JD(S) first family avoids discussion on Channapatna bypoll debacle

BJP, JD(S) leaders helped win Channapatna bypoll: DK Shivakumar

Virat Kohli doesn’t have anything to prove, his contribution is unparalleled: Kapil Dev

IPL auction: Arshdeep bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore, Rabada goes to GT for Rs 10.75 crore

‘King and The Prince’: Tons by young Jaiswal, veteran Kohli put India in winning position

Malayalam actress changes her stance, to proceed with sexual harassment cases against actors

Parliamentary panel to examine issue of lateral entry

Related Articles More

BTS2024: If India can make rocket sensors, it can also make car sensors, says ISRO chief Somanath

World COPD Day: Know your lung function

SpaceX successfully launches ISRO’s 4,700 kg communication satellite from US

As AI and megaplatforms take over, the hyperlinks that built the web may face extinction

Plastic waste could double by 2050, researchers find, suggest policies to address issue

MUST WATCH

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation


Latest Additions

JD(S) first family avoids discussion on Channapatna bypoll debacle

BJP, JD(S) leaders helped win Channapatna bypoll: DK Shivakumar

Virat Kohli doesn’t have anything to prove, his contribution is unparalleled: Kapil Dev

IPL auction: Arshdeep bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore, Rabada goes to GT for Rs 10.75 crore

‘King and The Prince’: Tons by young Jaiswal, veteran Kohli put India in winning position

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.