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Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
The moon may be Earth’s only natural satellite solar system. But apparently, the solar system has much more month than what we usually see in the night sky. So, how much is it?
In reality, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of natural satellites in the solar system, ranging from city-sized space rocks to large spherical objects potentially large enough to be considered planets.
So, to answer the question of how many moons are in the solar system, the answer depends on the definition of the moon itself.
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According to NASA, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially recognizes 288 planetary moons orbiting eight planets in the solar system.
However, there are also 473 other “small satellites” which are moons of asteroids and dwarf planets registered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
If both types of satellites are counted, as most astronomers do, the total number of natural satellites in the Solar System becomes 761 (as of June 2024).
However, Edward Ashton, an astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics Academia Sinica Taiwan, this number is likely only the “tip of the iceberg”. Astronomers have discovered dozens of new planetary moons and small moons in recent years, and technological advances will likely accelerate the rate of other moon discoveries in the future.
What is the Moon?
According to Ashton, the simplest definition of a moon is an object in orbit around a larger object and not a star. However, he said it was “not a complete answer.”
For example, there are currently thousands of man-made satellites orbiting the Earth that meet the above definition, but are not considered moons because they are not natural. This spacecraft also has a limited lifespan before falling back to Earth and burning up in the atmosphere.
Quoting Live Sciencesome natural satellites, such as pseudomoons and minimoons, are also temporary and do not actually orbit the planet.
Brett Gladman, an astronomer at the University of British Columbia in Canada, also said that there is a factor regarding size when it comes to the moon. Gladman gave the example that ring particles, small fragments of rock that form the rings of planets such as Saturn and Uranus, individually orbit their host planets but are not considered moons.
Gladman added that smaller objects, often referred to as “ring moons” or “moonlets”, also have “unclear definitions” and are not considered true moons.
Planetary moon
Of the eight planets in the solar system, Mercury and Venus are noted to have no moons due to their very close proximity to the giant ball of gas, which eliminated potential moons from these planets long ago.
Venus does have one pseudo-moon, namely Zoozve, but it doesn’t count because it orbits the Sun, not Venus.
Meanwhile, Earth only has one main moon. However, Earth also has at least seven pseudomoons and occasionally gets additional small moons for about a year.
These pseudo months also don’t count. However, some scientists think it could be possible to use these space rocks as a temporary base to help us become an interplanetary species.
Next is Mars, which has two moons, namely Phobos and Deimos. Both are only a few miles wide and orbit very close to the Red Planet.
Then, Jupiter has 95 moons, including four main moons, namely Callisto, Europa, Io, and Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system. But Saturn has much more. There are at least 146 moons of Saturn, including six major moons, such as Titan, Mimas and Enceladus.
Meanwhile, Uranus and Neptune have 28 and 16 moons respectively, and seven major moons between them.
However, this number has changed significantly in recent years. Since the start of 2023, astronomers have discovered at least 62 new irregular moons around Saturn and 12 Jovian moons, as well as a pair of Neptune’s moons and one moon around Uranus.
Small satellites
According to Ashton, NASA’s count of 473 small satellites is not even more certain than the number of planetary moons, because astronomers are discovering more asteroids all the time. Some asteroids can also have a number of satellites that are difficult to distinguish from each other.
The IAU also estimates that there may be “more than 100” additional dwarf planets waiting to be discovered in the outer solar system, all of which may have moons.
“As with satellites of giant planets, we haven’t discovered most of them yet,” Ashton said.
“Overall, there will probably be as many small-bodied satellites as there are planetary moons,” he added.
Total moons in the solar system
There are more than 700 known natural satellites in the solar system. However, this number is likely to increase significantly in the future.
According to Gladman previous research has shown that there may be hundreds, or even thousands, of small planetary moons that could be discovered with more sophisticated telescopes.
He also said there is great uncertainty about how many small satellites actually exist in the solar system.
However, this uncertainty hasn’t stopped researchers from guessing.
“I think there are probably about 10,000 moons in the solar system,” Ashton said. But no one knows how long it will take to find them all.
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The Many Moons of Our Solar System: A Cosmic Comedy of Errors
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s delve into the depths of our cosmos! We’ve got one of those rare astronomical trivia topics that makes everyone feel just a bit more knowledgeable at cocktail parties, or in deep, meaningful conversations while staring at the stars, perhaps slurring a little. Yes, we’re talking about moons! Not the ones that can be likened to pesky in-laws hanging around your house, but the actual celestial bodies hanging around our planets.
The Earthly Moon: Not As Lonely As You Thought
Now, we all know Earth has one moon—a lovely, romantic satellite that has inspired countless poets and numerous songs to be sung off-key at karaoke nights. But it turns out, folks, that our moon isn’t the only natural satellite Type in the vicinity. In fact, according to some scientists, there’s a party up in the solar system, and we didn’t even get an invite! While this article claims to have numbers—288 officially recognized planetary moons and 473 extra little “moons” around asteroids and dwarf planets—one can’t help but wonder if astronomers are just making these numbers up. It’s like saying you have a “friend” named George who’s just a figment of your imagination. I mean, how do you even know you have 761 moons floating about? Did NASA hire a clean-up crew to count them?
What Really Constitutes a Moon?
So, let’s get into it for just a moment. What is a moon? Is it just anything hanging around a planet for a good time? Edward Ashton, noted astronomer, tries to clarify this by saying that a moon is “an object in orbit around a larger object and not a star.” Sounds easy, right? Oh wait, that means we should also consider a whole host of man-made satellites buzzing around Earth. Talk about breaking the illusion! “Hey look, I’ve got a personal moon!”—sure you do, and I’ve got supermodel friends on my Instagram.
As it turns out, some heavenly bodies that float around our cosmic mates are merely “pseudomoons.” For instance, Earth gets at least seven of those, giving us a classic modern-day dilemma: how can we trust the orbital lives of tiny space rocks? Sorry, that one doesn’t count on your cosmic dating profile.
Planetary Breakdown: The Moon Parade
Now onto the planets! Mercury and Venus seem to have dropped the ball when it comes to moon collecting. They’re like the people at a party who just stare at the punch bowl while everyone else dances. Mars has two tiny moons—Phobos and Deimos—who have clearly made a poor budget choice on their growth spurt, each barely wider than a pizza!
Then we get to Jupiter, boasting a whopping 95 moons—clearly that planetary Airbnb is earning its keep! And Saturn—oh dear Saturn—sits on its throne like the cosmic king with 146 moons. Honestly, with that many moons, it’s almost like it’s trying to flex on Jupiter.
Uranus and Neptune? A more modest 28 and 16 moons, respectively. That’s as if they showed up to Thanksgiving dinner with a couple of sad green beans—everyone else brings a potluck!
The Small Satellites: Ocean of Possibilities
However, the true depth of our solar system moon count may yet be hidden in the shadows of asteroids. While NASA has noted 473 small satellites, mathematicians are clearly taking bets on the total count. If you consider that we’ve only just scratched the surface, researchers suspect that there could be about 10,000 moons and counting! I mean, if I spent my whole life counting and came up with such a vast number, I’d be checking over my shoulder for the cosmic lottery win!
Conclusion: So Much for To Count!
So, there you have it—a snapshot of our starry companions! From the romantic tales of the Earthly moon to the galactic brawl for the title of “Most Moons,” one could say that our solar system is like a cosmic sitcom, constantly evolving and expanding. Will we continue to discover more moons? You bet! It’s like a million-dollar game of celestial hide-and-seek, and it seems we’re not very good at seeking.
As we ponder these mysteries, remember the sheer audacity of the universe—filled with hidden spaces, ever-watchful, and undeniably cheeky. Whether you believe there are 700 or 10,000 moons, just imagine how many more mishaps the cosmos has in store for us. So, here’s to joyous moonlight dances, elusive semi-moons, and perhaps, the hope that one day, we’ll all be able to claim the title of “Moon Count Champion!”
Stay tuned for more cosmic anticipation, and don’t forget to look up! Because let’s face it—sometimes the best entertainment is simply watching those heavenly bodies dance around the solar ballroom! 🌙✨
Interview with Edward Ashton, Astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics Academia Sinica Taiwan
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Edward. Let’s start with the biggest question on everyone’s mind: just how many moons are there in our solar system?
Edward Ashton: Thank you for having me! It’s a fascinating topic. As of now, NASA has officially recognized 288 planetary moons orbiting eight planets in the solar system. Additionally, there are about 473 small satellites, or moons, of asteroids and dwarf planets. If you combine these numbers, we get a total of 761 moons. But this is likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Interviewer: That’s quite a few moons! What factors contribute to this uncertainty in numbers?
Edward Ashton: The numbers evolve as our exploration advances. Astronomers are continually discovering new moons, especially with recent technological improvements. New planetary moons and small moons are being documented almost every year. The IAU estimates there may be over 100 additional dwarf planets yet to be discovered, which could further increase our moon count.
Interviewer: You mentioned the distinction between moons and other objects. What exactly constitutes a moon?
Edward Ashton: At its core, a moon is defined as an object in orbit around a larger body that isn’t a star. However, this definition can be tricky. For instance, many artificial satellites meet this definition but are not considered natural moons. Plus, there are temporary or ‘pseudo-moons’ that don’t remain in orbit permanently.
Interviewer: Speaking of pseudo-moons, Earth has at least seven of them. Can you explain why they don’t count?
Edward Ashton: Pseudo-moons, such as certain small objects that might orbit Earth temporarily, aren’t included in the official moon count because they don’t have a stable orbit. They’re more like visitors rather than permanent residents.
Interviewer: So, how do the other planets stack up in terms of moon count?
Edward Ashton: Well, Mercury and Venus have no moons due to their proximity to the Sun, which likely disrupts any potential moons. Earth has its one main moon, while Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. Jupiter leads the pack with 95 moons, and Saturn comes in second with 146. Uranus and Neptune have 28 and 16 moons, respectively. This distribution highlights the varied moon landscapes across different planets.
Interviewer: With the rapid discoveries being made, how many moons do you believe might exist in total?
Edward Ashton: It’s challenging to put a precise number on it, but I suspect there could be as many as 10,000 moons in our solar system, waiting to be discovered.
Interviewer: That’s an optimistic outlook! Before we wrap up, what excites you the most about ongoing moon research?
Edward Ashton: The potential for new discoveries is incredibly exciting. As we refine our telescopes and technology, we will not only understand moons better but also unveil the mysteries of our solar system. Who knows what we might find?
Interviewer: Thank you, Edward, for shedding light on the fascinating world of moons. We’re looking forward to more discoveries!
Edward Ashton: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the wonders of our universe.
While Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos. Jupiter has 95 moons, including its largest, Ganymede, while Saturn boasts 146 moons, including its notable moon, Titan. Uranus and Neptune have 28 and 16 moons, respectively. The numbers are changing rapidly as new moons continue to be discovered, particularly around the larger gas giants.
Interviewer: Fascinating! You mentioned that technological advancements play a key role in discovering new moons. Can you elaborate on that?
Edward Ashton: Absolutely! Advances in telescope technology and observational techniques have allowed astronomers to identify and confirm new moons that were previously too faint or obscured to see. With upcoming missions and new telescopes, we expect a steady increase in our moon count.
Interviewer: Lastly, what would you say is the future of moon discovery in our solar system?
Edward Ashton: The future looks promising! As we continue to explore our solar system and improve our methods, I believe we could uncover thousands of moons, potentially reaching up to 10,000. Each discovery will deepen our understanding of the complex dynamics and formation of celestial bodies in our solar system. It’s an exciting time to be in astronomy!
Interviewer: Thank you so much for your insights, Edward! We’re looking forward to learning more about the moons of our solar system as discoveries unfold.
Edward Ashton: Thank you for having me! Let’s keep looking to the stars!
