Jupiter’s family has really grown since Galileo first recorded its four largest moons in 1610.
In 2018, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced the discovery of 10 new moons orbiting Jupiter. Along with two found through the same research project but announced in June 2017, this brings the roster of Jupiter’s known natural satellites to 79.
One of these new moons has an odd orbit, which may give astronomers crucial insights to understanding how the moons of Jupiter came to be.
