What Are the Latest Discoveries About Pluto's Moons?

In summary: Discoveries like this are always exciting and remind us that there is still so much to learn about our own solar system. In summary, a new moon was discovered around Pluto and it was announced on July 20, 2011. This discovery is significant because it reminds us that there is still much to learn about our own solar system, despite the numerous discoveries made in recent years. The conversation also reveals the excitement and curiosity surrounding this new moon and the desire to learn more about it.
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
Drakkith said:
Just saw this article here about it being announced on 20 July of this year, 2011!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/2011_P_1

Who'd've thought that old dog Pluto would have another pup!
 
  • #3
qraal said:
Who'd've thought that old dog Pluto would have another pup!

Yep!
 
  • #4
That's pretty cool. With all the photos of distant nebulas and galaxies, I think it is rad that something new, even if it's just a moon, can be discovered so (relatively) close. I kinda assumed there wasn't really anything left to discover in our solar system.
 
  • #5
Disconnected said:
That's pretty cool. With all the photos of distant nebulas and galaxies, I think it is rad that something new, even if it's just a moon, can be discovered so (relatively) close. I kinda assumed there wasn't really anything left to discover in our solar system.

Nah, there have been thousands of asteroids, dozens of comets, and several dwarf planets discovered in the last decade or two. Most of these objects have eluded us so long because they are so small and dark.
 
  • #6
Yeah, it kinda blew my mind when I found out about the dwarf planets and such (like 8 months ago). Excuse the naive post, I'm kinda out of my field here. I felt a little silly about posting this, then going on to read the threads about the trojan asteroid etc. It's all cool stuff, make me wish I had taken some astro classes.
 
  • #7
Disconnected said:
Yeah, it kinda blew my mind when I found out about the dwarf planets and such (like 8 months ago). Excuse the naive post, I'm kinda out of my field here. I felt a little silly about posting this, then going on to read the threads about the trojan asteroid etc. It's all cool stuff, make me wish I had taken some astro classes.

Wikipedia is my friend lol. As are random books from Books-a-Million. I've never taken a college physics, astronomy, or other science class and I think I have a good understanding of science in general.
 
  • #8
Hey neat, another moon to go along with Charon!

... follows link ...

Wait a minute, there are already two other moons?!
 
  • #9
Drakkith said:
Wikipedia is my friend lol.

I foresee a long session of wiki surfing in my very near future...

I've never taken a college physics, astronomy, or other science class and I think I have a good understanding of science in general.
Strong work. You definitely seem to have an excellent understanding.
Hurkyl said:
Wait a minute, there are already two other moons?!
Yerp, my thoughts exactly.
 

Similar threads

I How Big of an Object Orbiting Closer to the Sun Than Earth Could Be Overlooked?
Replies
17
Views
3K
B Saturn's 145 Moons: The Latest Discoveries and What Sets Them Apart
Replies
16
Views
4K
B Outer Solar System Origins Survey, Dwarf Planets and TNOs
Replies
2
Views
1K
What Does Pluto Really Look Like?
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Nature paper on Moon's initial evolution - Tidally driven remelting
Replies
1
Views
716
Stargazing Question about my photos of a Full Moon -- What is this point of light?
Replies
5
Views
1K
Stargazing [just for fun] Planet Definition
Replies
2
Views
2K
B NYTimes: 79 Moons of Jupiter and Counting
Replies
1
Views
2K
I New Developments In The Search For Planet X
Replies
2
Views
1K
Just how dark is Pluto from orbit? How about Saturn?
Replies
9
Views
7K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top