Published , Modified Abstract on A Dozen New Moons of Jupiter Discovered, Including One 'Oddball' Original source
A Dozen New Moons of Jupiter Discovered, Including One 'Oddball'
Introduction
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has always been a fascinating subject for astronomers. Recently, a team of scientists discovered a dozen new moons orbiting Jupiter, bringing the total number of known moons to 79. This discovery is significant as it not only expands our knowledge of the Jovian system but also provides insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system.
The Discovery
The discovery of the new moons was made by a team of astronomers led by Scott S. Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science. The team used the Subaru telescope in Hawaii to observe Jupiter and its surroundings. They discovered 12 new moons, 11 of which are normal moons that orbit in the same direction as Jupiter's rotation, while one is an "oddball" that orbits in the opposite direction.
The Characteristics of the Moons
The newly discovered moons vary in size, with the largest being about 2 miles in diameter. They are also very distant from Jupiter, with the farthest one being about 14 million miles away. The "oddball" moon, which has been named Valetudo after the Roman goddess of health and hygiene, is the smallest of the 12 moons, measuring only about 0.6 miles in diameter. It orbits in the opposite direction to Jupiter's rotation and is located closer to the planet than any other known moon.
The Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of the new moons is significant as it expands our understanding of the Jovian system. The moons are believed to be remnants of the early solar system and their study can provide insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system. The discovery of Valetudo, the "oddball" moon, is particularly interesting as it is the smallest moon ever discovered around Jupiter and its unique orbit suggests that it may have collided with other moons in the past.
The Future of the Jovian System
The discovery of the new moons is just the beginning of the exploration of the Jovian system. There is still much to learn about Jupiter and its surroundings, and future missions such as the European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and NASA's Europa Clipper will provide more insights into the Jovian system. These missions will study the moons of Jupiter, including Europa, which is believed to have a subsurface ocean that may harbor life.
Conclusion
The discovery of a dozen new moons orbiting Jupiter is a significant achievement in the field of astronomy. The new moons expand our knowledge of the Jovian system and provide insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system. The discovery of Valetudo, the "oddball" moon, is particularly interesting as it suggests that there may have been collisions between moons in the past. The future of the Jovian system looks promising, with upcoming missions set to provide more insights into this fascinating system.
FAQs
Q1. How many moons does Jupiter have now?
A1. With the discovery of the 12 new moons, Jupiter now has a total of 79 known moons.
Q2. What is the significance of the discovery of the new moons?
A2. The discovery of the new moons expands our understanding of the Jovian system and provides insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system.
Q3. What is the name of the "oddball" moon?
A3. The "oddball" moon has been named Valetudo after the Roman goddess of health and hygiene.
Q4. What is the future of the exploration of the Jovian system?
A4. Future missions such as the European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and NASA's Europa Clipper will provide more insights into the Jovian system.
Q5. What is the size of the smallest moon discovered around Jupiter?
A5. The smallest moon discovered around Jupiter is Valetudo, which measures only about 0.6 miles in diameter.
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