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More Moons around Jupiter & Saturn

Astronomers have recently discovered nine new moons. The astronomers found eight new moons of Jupiter and one new moon of Saturn. We now know of 60 moons orbiting Jupiter and 31 orbiting Saturn. The new moons were discovered using telescopes on the top of a volcano called Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

All of the new moons are small. The new moons of Jupiter are about two or three kilometers (a mile or two) across. The diameter of the new moon of Saturn is about eight kilometers (five miles).

Twelve new moons of Jupiter were discovered earlier this year. The last time astronomers found new moons of Saturn was December 2000. Scientists think there are many more small moons that haven't been found yet. A spacecraft called Cassini is on its way to Saturn. When it gets there, it may find more moons around Saturn!

Last modified April 17, 2003 by Randy Russell.

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