NEW YORK (AP) — The Webb Area Telescope has noticed a brand new tiny moon orbiting Uranus.
It was noticed by the telescope’s near-infrared digital camera 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.
The brand new moon, nonetheless anonymous, ups the planet’s complete rely to 29.
The brand new addition might trace at extra bite-sized moons ready to be discovered round Uranus, stated planetary scientist Matthew Tiscareno with the SETI Institute, who was concerned within the discovery.
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“There’s in all probability much more of them and we simply must preserve trying,” stated Tiscareno.
The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives assist 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.
