Saturn is known for its stunning rings, but it’s also a planet with a remarkable number of moons. With the recent discovery of 28 new natural satellites orbiting Saturn, it has now officially surpassed Jupiter to claim the title of the planet with the most moons in our solar system.
InShort:
Saturn has officially claimed the title of the planet with the most moons in our solar system, with 28 new natural satellites recently discovered. This brings its total number of moons to 117, surpassing Jupiter’s 95.
The Story:
Saturn’s newly discovered moons are relatively small, with a diameter of just three miles. Astronomers used ground-based telescopes in Hawaii, as well as data collected by the Cassini spacecraft, to detect them. The discovery of these new moons has excited scientists who are eager to learn more about Saturn’s moons and their formation.
One of the newly discovered moons, named “Valetudo,” is unique in that it orbits in the opposite direction to Saturn’s other moons. This suggests that it may have been a part of a larger moon that broke apart in a collision with another celestial body.
Another interesting discovery is that several of the moons are grouped into three distinct clusters, which may suggest that they were formed from the same parent body. This information could help scientists better understand the formation of moons in our solar system.
In addition to the discovery of new moons, the Cassini spacecraft also found evidence of a potential new ring around Saturn. The ring is thought to be relatively small and was likely formed by the impact of a comet or asteroid.
Research Scopes:
The discovery of new moons and a potential new ring around Saturn opens up exciting research opportunities for scientists. One area of interest is studying the composition and characteristics of these new moons. Scientists could also investigate the impact of these moons on Saturn’s rings and magnetic field.
The discovery of the new moons also raises questions about how they formed and how they are related to each other. This information could provide insight into the formation of the planets and moons in our solar system.
Source :https://www.newscientist.com/