Uranus May Now Have 29 Moons

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have identified what may be a previously unknown moon orbiting Uranus. If confirmed, this newly spotted object—temporarily labeled S/2025 U1—would raise Uranus’ total number of moons to 29, marking the first such discovery in over two decades.

Discovery Made with JWST Infrared Camera

Researchers captured ten 40-minute exposures of Uranus using JWST’s infrared instruments. Amid the planet’s known moons, scientists detected a faint, fuzzy body approximately 10 kilometers in diameter, orbiting about 56,000 kilometers from Uranus’ center.
This candidate moon lies just outside Uranus’ main ring system and appears to belong to the planet’s group of 13 inner moons, which are typically small, irregular, and dim.

Location Among Uranus’ Inner Moons

The object orbits near moons such as Mab, Cordelia, and Ophelia, strengthening the case that it is a true Uranian satellite. Once additional data confirms its orbit, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will assign it a permanent name, in keeping with the tradition of naming Uranus’ moons after characters from Shakespeare or Alexander Pope.

Historical Context: Uranus Moon Discoveries

The first Uranian moons, Titania and Oberon, were discovered by William Herschel in 1787. Since then, dozens more have been detected using increasingly powerful instruments. The most recent confirmed discovery was Margaret in 2003, using the Hubble Space Telescope.
With S/2025 U1 and another pending candidate, S/2023 U1, Uranus’ total could soon reach 29 moons.

JWST Extends Voyager 2’s Legacy

This discovery is especially notable because neither the Hubble Space Telescope nor Voyager 2, which famously flew past Uranus in 1986, were able to detect such a small body. The fact that JWST revealed it highlights the telescope’s unmatched ability to detect faint objects within Uranus’ complex ring system.
Maryame El Moutamid, the lead researcher, explained that this finding builds on the legacy of Voyager 2, expanding our knowledge of Uranus nearly 40 years after the historic flyby.

Key Points of the Discovery

• New Uranus Moon Candidate (S/2025 U1) spotted in 2025
• James Webb Space Telescope breakthrough in planetary science
• Estimated 10 km diameter moon orbiting 56,000 km from Uranus
• Possible addition to Uranus’ 13 inner moons
• Names for Uranus’ moons follow Shakespearean & Pope traditions
• Would bring Uranus’ moon count to 29
• Continues the legacy of Voyager 2 with modern space technology

A Step Toward More Discoveries

Astronomers believe this is just the beginning. With JWST’s powerful capabilities, scientists expect to uncover more hidden moons around Uranus and beyond, deepening our understanding of the outer solar system and its dynamic celestial bodies.

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