Many Moons Make The World We Know Bigger

The world has more moons than we thought – and you can name them! The Carnegie Institution for Science found a dozen new moons orbiting Jupiter. Five were named by a contest on the twitter hashtag #NameJupitersMoons.

The Institution’s recent discovery upscaled the total to a massive 79 moons orbiting the gas giant, of which 64 are now named.

“I was blown away by the enthusiastic response for this contest,” says Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution, adding, “I hope the thought of these moons let everyone ponder the wonder and amazement that is our universe.”

The winning proposals, following the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Jovian system, are Pandia, Ersa, Eirene, Philophrosyne and Eupheme. Though several people suggested similar names, the Institution particularly appreciated some entries, including that of a school’s astronomy club in Cornwall, England, and of four-year-old moon expert named Walter, who sang a song about Jupiter’s moons.