Jupiter Gets 12 New Moons — Takes the Total to 92

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has just gotten even more fascinating with the discovery of 12 new moons. This brings the total number of known moons around the gas giant to 92, making Jupiter one of the most heavily populated celestial bodies in our solar system. The discovery was made by Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science and his team, who have been studying the Jovian system for years.   The new moons were found using the Blanco 4-metre telescope in Chile and confirmed using other telescopes in Hawaii and Arizona. They range in size from just a few kilometres to several dozen kilometres across and belong to two distinct groups: 11 are part of an outer group of moons that orbit in the opposite direction of Jupiter's rotation and one moon is part of a group that orbits in the same direction as the planet's rotation.   This discovery provides new insights into the early evolution of the Jovian system and the history of the solar system as a whole. The outer group of moons is thought to be remnants of a larger moon that was shattered by a collision with another celestial object. The moon that orbits in the same direction as Jupiter's rotation is thought to be a "captured" object, meaning it was likely formed elsewhere in the solar system and was later pulled into orbit around Jupiter.   The new moons also offer opportunities for scientific exploration and study. They provide a window into the history of the Jovian system and the formation of the solar system itself. In addition, the moons are potential targets for future missions to study the interior and surface of the objects and learn more about the evolution of the Jovian system.