Which planet has most natural satellites in our solar system? Read to know
So, in total, 92 moons are revolving around the massive planet. The new discovery means there is a 15% rise in the gas giant’s known moons.
Jupiter beats Saturn
The behemoth has pipped Saturn to become the planet, which has the most moons in the solar system.
The Minor Planet Center (MPC) operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has published the orbits of the newly found 12 moons of Jupiter, as per a new report from Sky and Telescope.
Till now, the scientists have found 83 moons to be revolving around Saturn, the ringed gas giant.
Without tracking the objects precisely, the experts have found tons of rocks down to around 2 miles (3 kilometers) wide around the second-largest planet in the solar system, as per Sky and Telescope.
Saturn may become the winner again
Saturn may become the planet to have the most moons in the solar system again by beating Jupiter soon as the instruments are becoming capable of studying these smaller moons. Scott Sheppard, who is an astronomer at the Carnegie Institute for Science in Washington, D.C., has submitted the observations of the Jovian system for publication. Sheppard had done the study between 2021 and 2022.
Why is there a delay in observing new moons?
The delay in observing the new moons happens as the astronomers have to track the rocks for a full orbit to ensure they were actually orbiting Jupiter.
According to Sky and Telescope, all of the new moons revolve around Jupiter but are far from its surface. These satellites take more than 340 Earth days to complete an orbit of the gas giant.
FAQs:
- How many moons does Saturn have?
Around 83 moons revolve around Saturn. - Which is the largest planet in our solar system?
Jupiter
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