Nasa’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a fascinating discovery: a new moon orbiting Uranus. This tiny moon, called S/2025 U1, is only about 6 miles (10 kilometers) in diameter. Its size kept it hidden from both NASA’s Voyager 2 probe during its 1986 flyby and other telescopes until now.
Researchers from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Colorado took 10 separate 40-minute shots using the telescope’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to find this moon. With S/2025 U1, Uranus now has a total of 29 known moons.
Located roughly 35,000 miles (56,000 kilometers) from the center of Uranus, S/2025 U1 orbits in a circular path. This suggests that it formed where it currently is, unlike many moons that drift over time. It accompanies a group of small satellites orbiting alongside Uranus’ larger moons, which include names from Shakespeare’s plays like Miranda and Titania. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) will eventually officially name S/2025 U1.
This discovery highlights the advanced capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists believe there’s still much to uncover about Uranus and its intriguing set of moons. “No other planet has as many small inner moons as Uranus,” noted Matthew Tiscareno from the SETI Institute, adding that their interactions with the rings of the planet hint at a dramatic history. He mentioned that this moon is smaller and fainter than even the previously known smallest moons, suggesting that more hidden moons could be waiting to be found.
Uranus is unique with its dark rings. While Jupiter and Saturn boast bright, prominent rings, Uranus’ rings are more challenging to detect. Made of darker materials, they add to the mysterious allure of this icy giant. The moons, like S/2025 U1, not only orbit among the rings but may also help maintain their structure.
Back in 1986, NASA’s Voyager 2 was the first spacecraft to visit Uranus. At that time, only five moons were known. Now, through Webb’s groundbreaking technology, we’re learning much more about our solar system. Recent data indicates that more than 100 moons and numerous smaller celestial bodies orbit the giant planets, a clear sign of the complexity and chaotic history within our solar system.
As Maryame El Moutamid from SwRI stated, modern astronomy continually builds on the discoveries from missions like Voyager 2. The unveiling of S/2025 U1 emphasizes how the James Webb Space Telescope is paving the way for deeper exploration of the planets at the edges of our solar system.
With each find, we expand our understanding of the universe. As telescopes advance, who knows what more we will discover? For more about the ongoing research and technology behind NASA’s space exploration, check out NASA’s space science blog.
