Saturn has taken the lead in the solar system’s moon count, surpassing Jupiter with its recent discovery of 128 new moons. The total number of moons now stands at 274, far beyond any other planet.
The recent finding is a significant increase to Saturn’s existing tally and sheds light on the moon formation process. According to astronomers, these 128 new satellites are irregular moons, characterized by their unique orbits that swing around the gas giant at steep angles. They were likely formed as a result of collisions between larger rocks and ice captured by Saturn’s gravity billions of years ago.
The discovery is adding rich detail to our understanding of the Saturnian system, which has been shaped by extensive moon-on-moon violence over billions of years. The findings suggest that Saturn has more moons than all other planets combined.
Saturn’s moons are not only fascinating but also offer valuable insights into a planet’s history and evolution. Certain clusters of irregular moons, such as Phoebe’s cluster, provide clues about the system’s dynamics. The Mundilfari cluster, for example, suggests a recent collision that vaporized smaller satellites.
The moon count implications for Jupiter are significant, as Saturn now holds the title of the moon-collecting champion. Unlike Saturn, Jupiter lacks a youthful-looking moon cluster and is unlikely to have recent collisions between its larger moons. This leaves Jupiter far behind in terms of total moon numbers.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/saturn-new-moons-record