NASA scientists have discovered a new moon orbiting the seventh planet from the sun, Uranus. The tiny moon, S/2025 U1, is about 6 miles in diameter and was detected using the Near-Infrared Camera on the James Webb Space Telescope. This discovery brings Uranus’ total satellite family to 29.
The moon was spotted in a series of images taken by the NIRCam camera, which has high resolution and infrared sensitivity that allows it to pick up faint objects. According to researchers, this new moon is smaller and much fainter than the smallest inner moons discovered so far, suggesting more complexity remains to be uncovered.
Uranus itself is a unique planet with more small inner moons than other planets in the solar system. The new moon orbits 35,000 miles from Uranus’ center, between the orbits of Ophelia and Bianca. Before it can get an official name, the International Astronomical Union must approve it.
The discovery is significant not only for its size but also for the potential insights it provides into Uranus’ unique system. The moon’s small size makes it a fascinating subject for further study, offering scientists a chance to learn more about this enigmatic planet and its moons.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/20/new-moon-orbiting-uranus/85744633007