Moroccan Astronomer Unveils New Moon Orbiting Uranus
A remarkable discovery has shaken the astronomical community: a team led by a Moroccan scientist has identified a previously unknown moon orbiting Uranus, bringing the total number of known moons circling the ice giant to 29. This achievement underscores the growing contributions of African scientists to global scientific endeavors, particularly in space exploration.
Unveiling the Celestial Body: A Triumph of Observation
Maryame Al Moutamid, a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), spearheaded the groundbreaking project. Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Al Moutamid and her team were able to identify the new moon. The discovery was made on February 2, 2025, meticulously pieced together using ten separate images taken by the telescope’s Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam). Each image took approximately 40 minutes to capture. The newly discovered moon, which measures a mere 10 kilometers in diameter, explains why previous missions, including Voyager 2’s flyby nearly four decades ago, failed to detect it. Its diminutive size presented a significant observational challenge. “Even though this moon is small, its discovery represents a major achievement,” Al Moutamid stated, highlighting the significance of this finding. Al Moutamid is a principal researcher in the Solar System Sciences and Exploration Division at the institute’s Boulder, Colorado location. This remarkable find highlights the increasing role of scientists from the African continent in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.
This discovery is a testament to the power of advanced astronomical tools and the dedication of researchers like Maryame Al Moutamid. It also serves as an inspiration for future generations of African scientists and astronomers, demonstrating the immense potential for groundbreaking discoveries within the continent.
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