All About Jupiter And News
Astronomers discover 12 new moons in orbit of Jupiter
Despite our best efforts to detect planets outside our solar system, we often overlook the treasure trove of celestial bodies right in our own backyard. The discovery of Eris, a dwarf planet similar in size to Pluto, in 2005 is a prime example of how even with advanced technology, it can be challenging to find objects that are relatively close by. The Kuiper belt beyond Neptune’s orbit likely holds many more surprises.
However, we don’t need to venture that far to realize the extent of our ignorance. Last week, astronomers announced the discovery of 12 new moons orbiting Jupiter, a planet that has been extensively studied and visited by spacecraft. This finding was accidental, as the team was actually searching for a massive planet beyond Pluto’s orbit. But their observations coincidentally caught Jupiter in view, allowing them to spot the new moons.
It took them a year to confirm the findings through further observations. The new moons range from 1-3 kilometers in diameter and have orbits that are either retrograde or prograde, with nine of them having retrograde orbits that suggest they may be fragments of larger bodies pulverized by collisions. Two other new moons orbit closer to Jupiter and follow a prograde path.
One of the most intriguing discoveries is a tiny moon less than 1 kilometer in diameter that orbits in the same direction as the retrograde moons, yet hasn’t been vaporized by collisions. This configuration seems unstable, making it surprising that the small moon has survived thus far. Our understanding of Jupiter’s system now includes 79 known moons.
The observations were made using ground-based telescopes and serve as a reminder not to allocate all our astronomical resources to searching for objects outside our solar system. There are likely many more exciting discoveries awaiting us in the vicinity of the sun, waiting to be explored in the near future.
The essentials about Jupiter
Jupiter stands as a behemoth in our solar system, boasting an impressive collection of 67 moons or more. This gas giant is synonymous with superlatives, holding the records for largest size, most massive mass, strongest magnetic field, and shortest day among its celestial peers. Its atmosphere is characterized by distinct beige, red, and brown bands, while one hemisphere features a striking red spot – actually a centuries-old storm system that could swallow three Earths whole.
Additionally, Jupiter’s moon collection is complemented by extremely thin ring systems. A NASA/JPL/USGS image [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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