James Webb Space Telescope discovers new moon of Uranus

James Webb Space Telescope Uranus moon discovery Voyager 2 astronomy outer solar system

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new moon orbiting Uranus, bringing the total number of known moons for the planet to 29. The object, provisionally designated S/2025 U1, is estimated to be approximately 10 kilometres wide and was located between the orbits of Ophelia and Bianca.

This discovery comes nearly 40 years after the Voyager 2 flyby in 1986, which identified ten previously unknown moons. Astronomers noted that the new moon did not suddenly appear, but rather required specific observing sequences to separate its faint light from the glare of the planet and its rings.

Meanwhile, NASA's Voyager probes continue their long-term missions in interstellar space. Voyager 2, which has been traveling for 49 years, remains a key part of outer solar system exploration despite aging hardware and power loss. NASA has been implementing lower-power alternatives for certain devices to extend the operational life of the spacecraft's instruments.

Entities

James Webb Space Telescope · NASA · Uranus · Voyager 2

Sources

Voyager 2 discovered ten moons when it flew past Uranus in 1986. Nearly 40 years later, James Webb found one it missed: Uranus's 29th known moon, a tiny world only about 10 kilometres wide hiding among the planet's inner moons. [spacedaily.com]

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NASA's Voyager probes have traveled through space for nearly 50 years. See the remarkable photos from their journeys. [www.businessinsider.com]

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