NASA announced the discovery of a new moon orbiting Uranus, identified using the James Webb Space Telescope. This brings the total number of known moons of Uranus to 29. Discovered through 40-minute exposure images taken on February 2, the moon, temporarily named S/2025 U1, measures approximately six miles in diameter.
Lead researcher Mary El Moutamid highlighted the significance of this find, noting it was missed by Voyager 2 nearly four decades ago. The moon’s interactions with Uranus’ rings could inform scientists about the rings’ formation and stability. It orbits about 35,000 miles from Uranus, situated between the orbits of two other small moons, Ophelia and Bianca.
El Moutamid stated that the moon’s discovery underscores the complex dynamics of Uranus’ system. Additional observations may uncover more small moons, and its findings could shape future missions planned for the 2030s, aimed at uncovering more about Uranus’ atmosphere and ring system. Naming of the new moon will be determined by the International Astronomical Union.
Experts like Scott Shepherd and Matthew Tiscarreno emphasized this finding’s significance for understanding Uranus and its interactions with its moons and rings, reinforcing the legacy of past missions like Voyager 2.
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