How many moons does Jupiter have and how were they discovered?

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    Jupiter Moons
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SUMMARY

Jupiter has 21 newly discovered satellites, bringing its total to 60 known moons, surpassing Saturn's 31. The four largest moons, known as the Galilean moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—were discovered by Galileo in 1610 using a 20-power telescope. The recent discoveries are attributed to ancient collisions, and ongoing research continues to uncover more moons. Jupiter's gravitational influence causes significant tidal fluctuations on its moons, particularly affecting Io's volcanic activity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of celestial mechanics and gravitational interactions
  • Familiarity with the history of astronomy, particularly the work of Galileo
  • Knowledge of planetary science and gas giants
  • Basic comprehension of tidal forces and their effects on celestial bodies
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  • Research the methods used in modern astronomical discoveries of moons, such as advanced telescopes and imaging techniques
  • Explore the geological characteristics of Io and its volcanic activity due to tidal heating
  • Study the historical context of moon discoveries in the solar system, focusing on Galileo's contributions
  • Investigate the dynamics of satellite systems around gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn
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Astronomy enthusiasts, planetary scientists, educators, and anyone interested in the dynamics of celestial bodies and the history of astronomical discoveries.

SpaceGuy
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21 new satellites of Jupiter have been found this year. Many are thought to be due to an ancient collision of a larger moon with a comet.

Jupiter has four large moons and dozens of smaller ones (there are 60 satellites known so far). Galileo first discovered the four largest moons of Jupiter, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto in 1610, using a 20-power telescope; these moons are known as the Galilean moons.

The moons of Jupiter are (in order by their distance from Jupiter): Metis, Adrastea, Amalthea, Thebe, Io, Europa, Ganymede (the biggest), Callisto (the second biggest), Leda (the smallest), Himalia, Lysithea, Elara, Ananke, Carme, Pasiphae, Sinope, and many newly-discovered moons that haven't been named yet.

In the time it took to write this more might have been found.

Jovian Factsheet.
 
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on a tv show they asked which planet had the most moons, i answered jupiter, i felt so stupid...it was saturn [b(]
 
Originally posted by guitarusa2001
on a tv show they asked which planet had the most moons, i answered jupiter, i felt so stupid...it was saturn [b(]

Don't. You were correct. Jupiter has more discoverd moons than Saturn (61 vs. 31 by my last count). But moons are being discovered fast and furious now...back in Jan. 2001, Saturn did have the most known moons (31 vs. Jupiter's 28 known moons at that time).
 
By the way, welcome to Physics Forums, SpaceGuy & guitarusa2001! :smile:
 
being that Jupiter and saturn are considered "gas" planets, would they almost have a mini solar system of their own with all of these satellites orbiting around? does Jupiter or saturn cause weather patterns for these moons?
 
Jupiter causes tidal fluctuations on its moons (which is why IO is so hot) its like what the moon does to the Earth except on an extemely massive scale
 

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