A research team, including University of Idaho physics professor Matthew Hedman, has confirmed the discovery of Uranus’s 29th moon using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

This newly identified satellite, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter, is considered one of the smallest known moons of Uranus.

On February 2, 2025, the team captured 10 long-exposure images, dedicating several months to process and analyze the data. The moon was confirmed as it appeared consistently across all 10 images at a stable brightness and moving in accordance with Uranus’s gravitational field.

Professor Hedman remarked on the significance of this discovery, noting that Uranus’s satellite system is the most densely packed they have encountered, although there are regions with fewer moons.

The discovery enhances the understanding of Uranus’s intricate satellite system, characterized by smaller moons orbiting closely together in intricate paths, while five larger moons are located further out. Computer simulations indicate that the gravitational interactions among these densely packed satellites could lead to occasional collisions.

Professor Hedman emphasized the importance of studying how this newly discovered moon interacts with its neighboring moons and its potential role in shaping Uranus’s rings. Currently, the moon is designated as S/2025 U1 until it is given an official name by the International Astronomical Union, which traditionally assigns names from the works of Shakespeare and Alexander Pope.