The planets of the solar system from closest to the sun outwards, along with the names of major satellites and the sizes of each
Satellites are names according to which planet they orbit. Jupiter's satellites are named after figures who featured in the life of Zeus (Jupiter is named after the Greek god Zeus). Saturn's satellites are named after mythological Greek titans and also giants from Inuit, Norse and Gallic mythology. Uranus' satellites are named after characters from Shakespeare's plays. Neptune's satellites are names after water nymphs
Planet | Size diameter |
No. of Moons |
Satellite Name | Satellite Size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mercury | 4,880 km | 0 | ||
Venus | 12,103.6 km | 0 | ||
Earth | 12,756.3 km | 1 | Moon | 3476 km |
Mars | 6,794 km | 2 | Phobos | 22.2 km |
Deimos | 12.6 km | |||
Jupiter | 142,984 km | 63 total 16 major moons, approx. 47 minor moons | Ganymede | 5262 km |
Callisto | 4800 km | |||
Io | 3630 km | |||
Europa | 3138 km | |||
Amalthea | 189 km | |||
Himalia | 186 km | |||
Thebe | 100 km | |||
Elara | 76 km | |||
Pasiphae | 50 km | |||
Metis | 40 km | |||
Carme | 40 km | |||
Lysithea | 36 km | |||
Sinope | 36 km | |||
Ananke | 30 km | |||
Adrastea | 20 km | |||
Leda | 16 km | |||
Saturn | 120,536 km | 33 total 18 major moons, & 15 minor moons | Titan | 5150 km |
Rhea | 1530 km | |||
Iapetus | 1460 km | |||
Dione | 1120 km | |||
Tethys | 1060 km | |||
Enceladus | 498 km | |||
Mimas | 392 km | |||
Hyperion | 286 km | |||
Phoebe | 220 km | |||
Janus | 178 km | |||
Epimetheus | 115 km | |||
Prometheus | 91 km | |||
Pandora | 84 km | |||
Helene | 33 km | |||
Atlas | 30 km | |||
Telesto | 29 km | |||
Calypso | 26 km | |||
Pan | 20 km | |||
Uranus | 51,118 km | 27 total 21 named moons, & 6 unamed | Titania | 1578 km |
Oberon | 1523 km | |||
Umbriel | 1170 km | |||
Ariel | 1158 km | |||
Miranda | 472 km | |||
Sycorax | 160 km | |||
Puck | 154 km | |||
Portia | 110 km | |||
Juliet | 84 km | |||
Caliban | 80 km | |||
Belinda | 68 km | |||
Cressida | 66 km | |||
Desdemona | 58 km | |||
Rosalind | 54 km | |||
Bianca | 44 km | |||
Ophelia | 32 km | |||
Prospero | 30 km | |||
Setebos | 30 km | |||
Stephano | 30 km | |||
Trinculo | 30 km | |||
Cordelia | 26 km | |||
Neptune | 49,532 km | 13 total 8 named moons, & 5 unamed | Triton | 2700 km |
Proteus | 418 km | |||
Nereid | 340 km | |||
Larissa | 193 km | |||
Galatea | 158 km | |||
Despina | 148 km | |||
Thalassa | 80 km | |||
Naiad | 58 km | |||
Pluto | 2274 km | 3 | Charon | 1172 km |
S/2005 P1 | 60 km | |||
S/2005 P2 | 50 km |
Recent advances in technology have enabled astronomers to detect extremely faint objects orbiting planets. Most of these objects are very small, less than 8 km in diameter, and there has been some controversy about whether these objects can be classed as moons or just space rocks. However all newly found satellites are still being offically named until a decision has been made about what characteristics determines true moon-ness.
Below are some of the newly discovered moons with naming schemes following tradition
Temporary Name | Approved Name |
---|---|
Jupiter Satellites | |
S/2001 J 11 | Aitne |
S/2001 J 1 | Autonoe |
S/1999 J 1 | Callirrhoe |
S/2000 J 10 | Chaldene |
S/2000 J 4 | Erinome |
S/2001 J 7 | Euanthe |
S/2001 J 10 | Euporie |
S/2001 J 4 | Eurydome |
S/2000 J 5 | Harpalyke |
S/2001 J 3 | Hermippe |
S/2000 J 3 | Iocaste |
S/2000 J 6 | Isonoe |
S/2001 J 8 | Kale |
S/2000 J 2 | Kalyke |
S/2000 J 8 | Megaclite |
S/2001 J 9 | Orthosie |
S/2001 J 6 | Pasithee |
S/2000 J 7 | Praxidike |
S/2001 J 5 | Sponde |
S/2000 J 9 | Taygete |
S/1975 J 1 | Themisto |
S/2001 J 2 | Thyone |
Saturn Satellites | |
S/2000 S 11 | Albiorix |
S/2000 S 10 | Erriapo |
S/2000 S 6 | Ijiraq |
S/2000 S 5 | Kiviuq |
S/2000 S 9 | Mundilfari |
S/2000 S 2 | Paaliaq |
S/2000 S 3 | Siarnaq |
S/2000 S 8 | Skathi |
S/2000 S 12 | Suttungr |
S/2000 S 4 | Tarvos |
S/2000 S 7 | Thrymr |
S/2000 S 1 | Ymir |