/data/photo/2022/08/23/6304cd3c4c50e.jpeg?fit=%2C&ssl=1)
KOMPAS.com – Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System. Jupiter is also one of the planets with the most satellites.
It was previously known that Jupiter has 73 satellites that circle its orbit.
Also read: Volcanic Eruption on the Jupiter Satellite Releases Hot Magma of More Than 1000 Degrees Celsius
Jupiter’s 12 new moons
But now, astronomers have discovered a new satellite orbiting Jupiter so that it officially now has an additional 12 satellites.
The addition of 12 previously unknown satellites brings the total number of satellites orbiting Jupiter to 92, surpassing the record for Saturn, which was previously known as the planet with the most satellites, which is 83 satellites.
Quoting IFL Science, Sunday (5/2/2023) finding this new satellite is not an easy matter.
Astronomers can only see it using very powerful telescopes to observe the entire Jupiter system.
Another challenge is that the extreme glare emitted by Jupiter makes it difficult for experts to identify new satellites.
Also read: Could Another Moon Appear as Earth’s Satellite in the Future?
But luckily those difficulties haven’t deterred Dr Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution from spending the last few years tracking the orbits of 12 new satellites.
The team of astronomers themselves discovered the new satellite using telescopes in Hawaii and Chilli in 2021 and 2022, while its orbit was confirmed with follow-up observations.
“I hope we can take close-up images of one of these outer moons to better determine its origin. We also hope to continue to add to the number of satellites on Jupiter,” Sheppard said, as quoted by Phys.
The 12 new satellites of Jupiter have not yet been named
Furthermore, these new satellites have not been given a name on the grounds that they are too small to receive an official name. The sizes of these new satellites range from 1 kilometer to 3 kilometers.
These mini-satellites are thought to be the remnants of much larger satellites that were destroyed millions of years ago after a collision with another object.
But astronomers can’t say exactly what hit the ancient satellite.
Also read: Why is Pluto No Longer Called a Planet?
The mission to study Jupiter has also been prepared. In April, the European Space Agency will send a probe to Jupiter to study the planet and some of its largest icy satellites.
Meanwhile, next year, NASA will launch the Europa Clipper to explore Jupiter’s satellite, which may contain the ocean beneath its frozen crust.
For the record, Uranus has 27 confirmed satellites, Neptune 14, Mars 2, and Earth 1. While Venus and Mercury have no satellites.
The discovery of this satellite is published in the Minor Planet Center (MPC).
Get updates featured news and breaking news every day from Kompas.com. Let’s join the Telegram group “Kompas.com News Update”, how to click the link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, then join. You must first install the Telegram application on your cellphone.
