The Webb Space Telescope has discovered a tiny new moon circling Uranus. NASA announced the finding on Tuesday, marking a new addition to the planet’s collection of satellites.
This moon is estimated to be about six miles, or ten kilometers, wide. It was detected using Webb’s near-infrared camera during observations conducted in February this year.
Scientists believe its small size and faint brightness allowed it to escape detection for decades. Even Voyager 2, which flew by Uranus nearly 40 years ago, did not spot it.
Uranus currently has 28 recognized moons. Most are named after characters from the works of Shakespeare or Alexander Pope. This new discovery increases the total count to 29 moons.
About half of Uranus’ moons are small and orbit closer to the planet. These inner moons are harder to detect due to their size and dimness, which explains why Webb could identify the new one.
The newly discovered moon has not been given a name yet. NASA scientists are reviewing suggestions and plan to follow the established naming tradition when it is officially named.
The discovery demonstrates the Webb telescope’s ability to detect faint and distant objects in the solar system. Its advanced cameras provide clearer images than earlier instruments, improving the search for hidden moons.
Finding such a small satellite helps astronomers study Uranus’ gravitational environment. Tracking the orbits of tiny moons gives insight into the planet’s history and the interactions between its moons and rings.
The Webb telescope continues to explore the outer solar system. Each discovery, even a tiny moon, contributes to our understanding of the ice giants and their complex systems of satellites.
NASA plans to publish detailed findings and orbital calculations in an upcoming scientific report. The new moon’s characteristics, orbit, and relation to Uranus’ other moons will be included in this study.
