How many moons does Jupiter have now?

Answer 1

63. And they are in order outwards from the planet's surface, with their respective orbital periods:

1 Metis 7h 4m 29s
2 Adrastea 7h 9m 30s
3 Amalthea 11h 57m 22.67s
4 Thebe 16h 11m 17s
5 Io 1.77 days
6 Europa 3.55 days
7 Ganymede 7.15 days
8 Callisto 16.69 days
9 Themisto 129.87 days
10 Leda 241.75 days
11 Himalia 250.37 days
12 Lysithea 259.89 days
13 Elara 261.14 days
14 S/2000 J 11 287.93 days
15 Carpo 458.62 days
16 S/2003 J 12 482.69 days
17 Euporie 538.78 days
18 S/2003 J 3 561.52 days
19 S/2003 J 18 569.73 days
20 Thelxinoe 597.61 days
21 Euanthe 598.09 days
22 Helike 601.40 days
23 Orthosie 602.62 days
24 Iocaste 609.43 days
25 S/2003 J 16 610.36 days
26 Praxidike 613.90 days
27 Harpalyke 624.54 days
28 Mneme 627.48 days
29 Hermippe 629.81 days
30 Thyone 639.80 days
31 Ananke 642.02 days
32 S/2003 J 17 672.75 days
33 Aitne 679.64 days
34 Kale 685.32 days
35 Taygete 686.67 days
36 S/2003 J 19 699.12 days
37 Chaldene 699.33 days
38 S/2003 J 15 699.68 days
39 S/2003 J 10 700.13 days
40 S/2003 J 23 700.54 days
41 Erinome 711.96 days
42 Aoede 714.66 days
43 Kallichore 717.81 days
44 Kalyke 721.02 days
45 Carme 721.82 days
46 Callirrhoe 722.62 days
47 Eurydome 723.36 days
48 Pasithee 726.93 days
49 Cyllene 731.10 days
50 Eukelade 735.20 days
51 S/2003 J 4 739.29 days
52 Pasiphaë 741.09 days
53 Hegemone 745.50 days
54 Arche 746.19 days
55 Isonoe 750.13 days
56 S/2003 J 9 752.84 days
57 S/2003 J 5 758.34 days
58 Sinope 762.33 days
59 Sponde 771.60 days
60 Autonoe 772.17 days
61 S/2003 J 14 776.02 days
62 Megaclite 792.44 days
63 S/2003 J 2 1077.02 days

Although claims are made for the observation of one of Jupiter's moons by Chinese astronomer Gan De in 364 BC, the first certain observations of Jupiter's satellites are those of Galileo Galilei in 1610, who sighted the four large Galilean moons with his 33x telescope.

No additional satellites were discovered until E.E. Barnard observed Amalthea in 1892. Further discoveries, aided by telescopic photography, followed quickly over the course of the twentieth century, and by 1975, before the Voyagers reached Jupiter, the planet was known to have at least thirteen satellites.

The Voyager 1 mission discovered three inner moons in 1979, bringing the total then known to 16 (17 if one counted Themisto, which had been found but then lost in 1975). The total rested there until 1999.

Since then, researchers using sensitive ground-based detectors have recovered Themisto and found a further 46 tiny moons in long, eccentric, generally retrograde orbits. They average 3 kilometres in diameter, and the largest is barely 9 km across.

All of these moons are thought to be captured asteroidal or perhaps cometary bodies, possibly fragmented into several pieces, but very little is actually known about them. The total number of known moons of Jupiter now stands at 63, currently the most of any planet in the solar system.

Answer 2

Lately, this question has had a changing answer! For many years, we knew of 16 moons for the largest planet in our solar system. In the last few years, about two dozen new moons have been announced by astronomers. However, being announced does not mean that these become "official" moons of the planet. To be recognized by the scientific community as a new moon involves a process which may take several years - and some announced objects never get recognized at all! Let's explain.

When a scientist makes observations which indicate a new moon, they submit their data and analysis to the scientific community. Other scientists then try to confirm the existance of the new moon by additional observations. If it is confirmed, the data are all submitted to the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU is the governing body for astronomy. One of their jobs is to decide what is sufficiently proven and what is not, and then to assign names. If sufficiently confirmed, the IAU gives a preliminary name to the new moon. Scientists get time to consider the name. Finally, at one of their meetings, the scientific membership of the IAU votes on whether or not to accept the object and its name as an "official moon" of the planet. This process (from initial announcement to official acceptance) may take several years.

Of the 23 new moons announced for Jupiter, preliminary names were assigned to 11 of them by the IAU in October 2002. This is an important step in the path taken to become an "official" moon. So these 11 (which are most probably asteroids that have been captured by Jupiter's gravity) will most probably be accepted in the near future and take the official list of Jupiter's moons from 16 to 27. How many more will follow this course is something to stay tuned for!

By the way, the recently proposed new moon names are: Themisto, Iocaste, Harpalyke, Praxidike, Taygete, Chaldene, Kalyke, Callirrhoe, Megaclite, Isonoe, and Erinsome. These names are from characters in the life of Zeus or Jupiter in Greco-Roman mythology, thus following in the tradition of the other satellites of our largest planet.

Answer 3

16

Answer 4

There are 63 known moons around Jupiter. Yet only 48 are named. Why are there so many? Jupiter's gravity is so strong, that it is capable of carrying that many moons. I have posted a link below with a picture of a few of Jupiter's moons, along with Jupiter itself. hope i helped!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Jupiter has around 16 named moons (I think),and 44 unnamed moons.Jupiters Total number of moons are 60.

Answer 6

At least 63

Answer 7

around 63 so far but they keep finding more!!!!1

Answer 8

63.

Answer 9

I think 16. ?

Answer 10

39 i suppose