. | . |
Saturn most moon-rich planet in solar system after discovery of 20 new moons by Brooks Hays Washington (UPI) Oct 9, 2019 Move over Jupiter, Saturn is now the most moon-rich planet in the solar system. This week, astronomers at the Carnegie Institution for Science announced the discovery of 20 new moons around Saturn. "Using some of the largest telescopes in the world, we are now completing the inventory of small moons around the giant planets," lead researcher Scott S. Sheppard said in a news release. "They play a crucial role in helping us determine how our solar system's planets formed and evolved." Scientists spotted the novel lunar transits using the Subaru telescope that sits atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The discovery comes roughly a year after scientists announced the presence of 12 new moons around Jupiter. Last year's discovery brought Jupiter's moon population to 79. But with the latest findings, Saturn can now claim 82 natural satellites. Not surprisingly, the new moons are all quite small, most boasting a diameter of roughly three miles. Seventeen of the new moons orbit in retrograde, or in the opposite direction of Saturn's rotation around its axis. Two of the three prograde moons are located closer to Saturn and take two years to orbit the giant planet, while the rest take at least three years to complete an orbit. "Studying the orbits of these moons can reveal their origins, as well as information about the conditions surrounding Saturn at the time of its formation," Sheppard said. Scientists grouped the moons into three different clusters. The retrograde moons belong to the Norse group, with names coming from Norse mythology, a group that astronomers estimate was produced by the breakup of a larger moon. One of the retrograde moons is the farthest known moon orbiting Saturn. "This kind of grouping of outer moons is also seen around Jupiter, indicating violent collisions occurred between moons in the Saturnian system or with outside objects such as passing asteroids or comets," Sheppard said. The new moons will all get their own names, and scientists have called on the public for help. Anyone can offer name suggestions through Dec. 6.
Saturn surpasses Jupiter after the discovery of 20 new moons Washington DC (SPX) Oct 08, 2019 Move over Jupiter; Saturn is the new moon king. A team led by Carnegie's Scott S. Sheppard has found 20 new moons orbiting Saturn. This brings the ringed planet's total number of moons to 82, surpassing Jupiter, which has 79. The discovery was announced Monday by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. Each of the newly discovered moons is about five kilometers, or three miles, in diameter. Seventeen of them orbit the planet backwards, or in a retrograde direction, meaning thei ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |