In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified 20 new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the planet’s total number of natural satellites to a whopping 82. This exciting find was announced by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center on October 7, 2019.
These newly discovered moons are relatively small, with diameters ranging from 3 to 4 kilometers (1.9 to 2.5 miles). Seventeen of the moons orbit the planet in a retrograde direction, meaning they move in the opposite direction of Saturn’s rotation. The other three moons orbit in a prograde direction, following the planet’s rotation.
One of the most interesting aspects of this discovery is the unique orbits of these new moons. Some of them take more than three years to complete a single orbit around Saturn, while others complete their orbits in just over two years. This variety in orbital periods suggests that these moons likely originated from larger bodies that were shattered by collisions with other objects in the distant past.
The discovery of these new moons was made possible by the advanced technology of the Subaru telescope located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The telescope’s powerful camera, known as the Subaru Telescope Hyper Suprime-Cam, is capable of capturing faint and distant objects in the night sky with remarkable clarity.
Saturn now holds the title for the planet with the most moons in our solar system, surpassing Jupiter’s previous record of 79 moons. This new discovery has sparked excitement among astronomers and space enthusiasts alike, as it provides valuable insights into the dynamics of Saturn’s moon system and the formation of moons in general.
As scientists continue to study these newly discovered moons, they hope to gain a better understanding of the processes that shaped our solar system and the diverse range of objects that populate it. This discovery serves as a reminder of the vastness and complexity of our universe, and the endless possibilities waiting to be uncovered in the depths of space.
With each new moon that is added to Saturn’s already impressive collection, we are reminded of the beauty and mystery of our solar system, and the endless wonders that await us as we continue to explore the cosmos.
