NEW YORK — The Webb Area Telescope has noticed a brand new tiny moon orbiting Uranus.
The brand new member of the lunar gang, introduced Tuesday by NASA, seems to be simply six miles (10 kilometers) extensive. It was noticed by the telescope’s near-infrared digicam throughout observations in February.
Scientists suppose it hid for therefore lengthy — even eluding the Voyager 2 spacecraft throughout its flyby about 40 years in the past — due to its faintness and small measurement.
Uranus has 28 recognized moons which can be named after characters from Shakespeare and Alexander Pope. About half are smaller and orbit the planet at nearer vary. This latest addition, nonetheless anonymous, ups the planet’s whole moon rely to 29.
___
The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives help from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Division of Science Schooling and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely chargeable for all content material.
About The Author
