Moon vs. Moonlet
One thing to keep in mind when looking at the moons of Saturn is how a moon differs from a moonlet. When you stand outside at night and look up, you can see the moon in the sky. NASA defines a moon as a natural satellite. Our moon orbits around the Earth and is one of the five largest moons in the solar system. Other planets have moons that orbit around them too. A moonlet is a type of moon that is smaller in size. Though it is still a natural satellite, it’s smaller than a standard moon. Other terms that describe the same thing include minor moon and minor satellite. A good example is the A Ring, which makes up the ring around Saturn.
What Does Confirmed Mean?
Saturn has a total of 150 satellites and moons that orbit the planet. Out of those 150, just 62 are confirmed moons. This means that NASA and others found research to prove that they exist. They can see those moons and satellites on telescopes and in observatories. NASA also uses the term confirmed to show that an object is a moon and not a natural satellite.
Do All the Moons of Saturn Have Names?
Though you might assume that all the moons of Saturn have official names, NASA and others have not yet named them all. Scientists gave names to 53 of the confirmed moons. Nine of the moons of Saturn do not have names.
What is the Largest Moon?
The largest moon orbiting Saturn is Titan. This moon is so large that it is bigger than some planets, including Mercury. First observed in 1655, its name comes from the fact that it is so large.
Titan is an uninhabitable moon in part because of the large amounts of toxic gases that make up its atmosphere. Both methane gas and nitrogen are on this moon, which makes it impossible for humans to ever live there.
Discovery of Moons
While Titan was the first moon discovered near Saturn, it was far from the last. During the late part of the 17th century, astronomers identified four different moons. Astronauts onboard the Voyager launches in the 1980s identified several other moons.
Saturn’s Moons
The moons of Saturn are generally uninhabitable and feature different landmarks. Enceladus is a moon that contains more than 100 geysers, most of which are around the moon’s south pole. Though you might think that all moons look like our moon and are round, the moons of Saturn come in different shapes and sizes. Hyperion has such an odd shape that some refer to it as a potato moon.
Rhea is another one of the planet’s moons that has an odd design. This moon does not have a solid core and instead consists of both rock and frozen water. Most of these moons have geysers that function like Old Faithful and other geysers. When the geysers reach a certain point, they will explode and send particles flying up and through the air. Those particles can include gases and ice as well as dust.
How Many Moons Does Saturn Have?
NASA found evidence to prove that they are 150 satellites and moons orbiting Saturn. Not all 150 of these objects are moons though as many are minor moons. Some of the satellites of Saturn came together to form the rings that many associate with the planet. Those rings also contain dust and other particles that orbit the satellites, which in turn orbit the planet. No matter what your favorite sci-fi books and films tell you, none of the planets are safe for human habitation. You can check out some of our articles to learn about the moons surrounding other planets or to learn some fun facts about space.