A new hidden moon has been found orbiting Uranus by NASA's James Webb Telescope

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope discovered a new moon orbiting Uranus in images taken by Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera). (Image: NASA)

Almost forty years after Voyager 2’s historic flyby, Uranus has surprised astronomers again. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed a tiny new moon orbiting the distant ice giant.

What exactly did scientists find?
A research team from the Southwest Research Institute detected the moon on 2 February 2025. The object was spotted in ten long-exposure images taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera. The moon measures about six miles across, making it far too faint for Voyager 2 or past observatories to see.

How does this change Uranus’ moon family?
The discovery raises Uranus’ total moon count to 29. This is the 14th small inner moon found within the planet’s complex system. These inner satellites orbit inside the paths of Uranus’ five major moons: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon. Astronomers note that no other planet hosts so many tiny inner moons. Their tangled relationships with the rings suggest a chaotic history between rings and moons.

Where is the new moon located?
The moon orbits 35,000 miles from Uranus’ centre. It travels along the equatorial plane, between the orbits of Ophelia and Bianca. Its circular path suggests it may have formed near its current position. A formal name will later be approved by the International Astronomical Union.

Why is Webb crucial for this discovery?
Webb’s sensitivity and high resolution make it ideal for detecting faint bodies. Scientists say this discovery highlights Webb’s role as a new window on the outer Solar System. It comes through Webb’s General Observer programme, which allows global researchers to propose investigations.

Voyager 2 passed Uranus on 24 January 1986, giving humanity its first close look at the planet. Now Webb builds on that legacy, revealing details unseen for decades. Researchers believe more hidden moons could still wait to be found.