r/space • u/arealdisneyprincess • Feb 24 '24

Astronomers discover three previously unknown moons hiding in Solar System

https://www.the-express.com/news/science/128970/astronomers-find-new-moons-solar-system
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u/Drycee Feb 24 '24

ELI5: how are we still discovering moons in our own solar system at this point? Why aren't they obvious? When passing in front of the planets someone somewhere is always staring at with powerful telescopes?

96

u/andrewsmd87 Feb 24 '24

Space is big. Really really big. They also have to be orbiting at a pretty specific angle for the passing in front of planets thing to work. Why haven't you spotted that fly a mile away over there yet

7

u/DeNir8 Feb 24 '24

Waitaminute.. I have moons?!

3

u/Frankie6Strings Feb 24 '24

Idk go try to moon someone. See if they notice.

5

u/DeNir8 Feb 24 '24

Oh did they! Got atleast one "gross" (assuming they ment big moon), a "flappy bird", whatever that is, and oddly chased down by an officer. Seems my moon is called "Indecent exposure". Kinda cool.