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| Two new distant moons Of Jupiter - S/2010 J 1 (circled) and S/2010 J 2 - were discovered during routine tracking observations of already known satellites in September 2010 |
Two new moons have been discovered orbiting
Jupiter, bringing the planet's total number of known satellites to
67.
And, at just two kilometres in diameter, one of the moons may be Jupiter's smallest known satellite.
The two distant moons - S/2010 J 1 and S/2010 J 2 - were discovered during routine tracking observations of already known satellites in September 2010.
They were then re-observed by scientists several times that autumn.
With Jupiter now having 67 known satellites, the discovery of two tiny moons does not have a large bearing on our understanding of the system.
Their size has been estimated based on their brightness.
S/2010 J 1 is 3km in diametre, while S/2010 J 1 is estimated to be just 2km in diameter.
It is believed that nearly all moons the size of S/2010 J 1 or larger are known.
[Via dailymail ]
Thanks
Tom
And, at just two kilometres in diameter, one of the moons may be Jupiter's smallest known satellite.
The two distant moons - S/2010 J 1 and S/2010 J 2 - were discovered during routine tracking observations of already known satellites in September 2010.
They were then re-observed by scientists several times that autumn.
With Jupiter now having 67 known satellites, the discovery of two tiny moons does not have a large bearing on our understanding of the system.
Their size has been estimated based on their brightness.
S/2010 J 1 is 3km in diametre, while S/2010 J 1 is estimated to be just 2km in diameter.
It is believed that nearly all moons the size of S/2010 J 1 or larger are known.
[Via dailymail ]
Thanks
Tom
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