Saturn’s New Moons Dethrone Jupiter
- The battle for the most moons in our solar system has historically been between the two giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn.
- now, in 2025, the same researchers, along with collaborators, have identified an additional 128 moons.
- The grand total now stands at 274 moons for Saturn, nearly double the combined total of all other planets in our solar system.
Saturn Dethrones Jupiter: Crowned King of Moons with Staggering finding
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The battle for the most moons in our solar system has historically been between the two giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter, with its 95 confirmed moons, seemed poised to maintain its lead. though,the landscape shifted dramatically two years ago when astronomer Edward Ashton and his team at The University of British Columbia in Canada discovered 62 new moons orbiting Saturn.
now, in 2025, the same researchers, along with collaborators, have identified an additional 128 moons. This groundbreaking discovery was officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on March 11, 2025.
Saturn’s Moon Count Soars
The grand total now stands at 274 moons for Saturn, nearly double the combined total of all other planets in our solar system. According to Edward Ashton, Jupiter’s chances of reclaiming the top spot are slim.
Based on our calculations, I don’t think Jupiter will ever catch up.
Titan and the Irregular Satellites
Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, was discovered in 1655. titan is spherical, possesses an atmosphere, and exceeds the size of the planet Mercury. In contrast, the moons discovered more recently are considerably smaller and classified as irregular satellites. Thes irregular satellites follow wide, elliptical orbits around the planet, suggesting a different origin than the regular moons. These potato-shaped objects are believed to have formed elsewhere in the universe and were later captured by Saturn’s gravity, unlike regular moons that formed in the planet’s vicinity.
The Enigma of Defining a Moon
According to Edward Ashton, the newly discovered moons raise fundamental questions about what constitutes a moon.
There’s no really good definition for what can be classed as a moon. There should be.
Naming the New Moons
As with all moons, the newly discovered satellites will eventually be named. Saturn’s irregular moons are categorized into three clusters, traditionally named after Gallic, Inuit, and Norse mythology.Given that most of the new moons fall into the latter category, researchers are exploring obscure characters from Viking-era tales.
However, the vast number of new moons may necessitate a change in naming conventions. As Edward Ashton notes:
Eventually, we’re probably going to have to relax those criteria a little bit.
Further Reading
Saturn’s Moon Kingdom: Q&A on the New Discoveries
The balance of power in our solar system’s moon count has shifted! Saturn has officially overtaken Jupiter, becoming the planet with the most moons. This Q&A explores everything you need to know about this exciting discovery.
Saturn’s Moons: The Basics
How many moons does Saturn have now?
Saturn currently has a staggering 274 moons. This nearly doubles the combined total of all the other planets in our solar system. This count was officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on March 11, 2025. (See search result [3])
When did the major discoveries of Saturn’s moons happen?
The most recent major discoveries occurred in two phases:
Two years prior to March 2025: Edward Ashton and his team discovered 62 new moons.
March 11, 2025: The same team, with collaborators, identified an additional 128 moons.
How does Saturn’s moon count compare to Jupiter’s?
Jupiter has 95 confirmed moons. With Saturn now boasting 274 moons, it holds a pleasant lead, making it the ”moon king” of our solar system.
Will Jupiter ever catch up to Saturn in moon count?
According to Edward Ashton, the lead researcher, Jupiter is unlikely to ever surpass Saturn in the number of moons.
Understanding Saturn’s Moons
What is the difference between regular and irregular moons?
Regular moons: These moons typically have circular orbits aligned with the planet’s equator, suggesting they formed in the planet’s vicinity.
Irregular moons: These moons have wide, elliptical orbits and are thought to have formed elsewhere and were later captured by the planet’s gravity. They frequently enough have unusual shapes, like being potato-shaped.
What are Saturn’s largest and most interesting moons?
Titan: Discovered in 1655, Titan is Saturn’s largest moon and is even larger than the planet Mercury. It’s unique for having a dense atmosphere.
Irregular Satellites: The newly discovered moons fall into this category. They are considerably smaller than Titan and have more distant, elliptical orbits.
How large is Titan compared to other celestial bodies?
Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, boasts a diameter of approximately 3,200 miles (5,150 kilometers), making it larger than the planet Mercury.
The Naming of Moons
How are Saturn’s moons named?
Saturn’s irregular moons are traditionally categorized into three clusters, named after:
Gallic mythology
Inuit mythology
* Norse mythology
Because many of the new moons fall into the latter category, researchers are exploring obscure characters from Viking-era tales for names.
With so many new moons, will the naming conventions change?
given the vast number of new moons, researchers acknowledge that they might need to relax the traditional naming criteria to accommodate all the new discoveries.As Edward Ashton notes, “Eventually, we’re probably going to have to relax those criteria a little bit.”
Defining a Moon
What defines a moon? Is there a clear definition?
Interestingly, Edward Ashton points out that there isn’t a clear, universally accepted definition of what constitutes a moon, stating, “There’s no really good definition for what can be classed as a moon. There should be.” This raises fundamental questions as we discover more and more smaller bodies orbiting planets.
Saturn vs. Jupiter Moon Comparison
| Feature | Saturn | Jupiter |
| ——————- | ———————————- | ———————————- |
| Total Moons | 274 | 95 |
| Largest Moon | Titan (with atmosphere) | Ganymede (largest in solar system) |
| Moon Origins | Captured & Locally Formed | Captured & Locally Formed |
| Naming Themes | Gallic, Inuit, Norse Mythology | Various Mythologies |
| Irregular moons | Large number of recent discoveries | Also has irregular moons |