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Planetary Satellite Discovery Circumstances

The tables below show the discovery circumstances of planetary satellites and satellites of Pluto officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). A total of 226 planetary satellites (including those of Pluto but not Earth) are represented below. References are listed where known.

IAU
number
IAU
name
provisional
designation
year
discovered
 
discoverer(s)/spacecraft mission
references
Satellites of Mars: 2
I Phobos 1877 A. Hall
II Deimos 1877 A. Hall
Satellites of Jupiter: 95
I Io 1610 Galileo
II Europa 1610 Galileo
III Ganymede 1610 Galileo
IV Callisto 1610 Galileo
V Amalthea 1892 E.E. Barnard
VI Himalia 1904 C. Perrine
VII Elara 1905 C. Perrine
VIII Pasiphae 1908 P. Melotte
IX Sinope 1914 S.B. Nicholson
X Lysithea 1938 S.B. Nicholson
XI Carme 1938 S.B. Nicholson
XII Ananke 1951 S.B. Nicholson
XIII Leda 1974 C. Kowal
XIV Thebe S/1979 J2 1980 Voyager Science Team
XV Adrastea S/1979 J1 1979 Voyager Science Team
XVI Metis S/1979 J3 1980 Voyager Science Team
XVII Callirrhoe S/1999 J1 1999 J.V. Scotti, T.B. Spahr, R.S. McMillan, J.A. Larsen, J. Montani, A.E. Gleason, T. Gehrels IAUC 7460
XVIII Themisto S/1975 J1 = S/2000 J1 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7525
XIX Megaclite S/2000 J8 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XX Taygete S/2000 J9 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXI Chaldene S/2000 J10 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXII Harpalyke S/2000 J5 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXIII Kalyke S/2000 J2 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXIV Iocaste S/2000 J3 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXV Erinome S/2000 J4 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXVI Isonoe S/2000 J6 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXVII Praxidike S/2000 J7 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
XXVIII Autonoe S/2001 J1 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXIX Thyone S/2001 J2 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXX Hermippe S/2001 J3 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXI Aitne S/2001 J11 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXII Eurydome S/2001 J4 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXIII Euanthe S/2001 J7 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXIV Euporie S/2001 J10 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXV Orthosie S/2001 J9 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXVI Sponde S/2001 J5 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXVII Kale S/2001 J8 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXVIII Pasithee S/2001 J6 2001 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2002-J54
XXXIX Hegemone S/2003 J8 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8088
XL Mneme S/2003 J21 2003 S.S. Sheppard, B. Gladman IAUC 8138
XLI Aoede S/2003 J7 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
XLII Thelxinoe S/2003 J22 2003 S.S. Sheppard, B. Gladman IAUC 8276
XLIII Arche S/2002 J1 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8035
XLIV Kallichore S/2003 J11 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8089
XLV Helike S/2003 J6 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
XLVI Carpo S/2003 J20 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8125
XLVII Eukelade S/2003 J1 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
XLVIII Cyllene S/2003 J13 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8116
XLIX Kore S/2003 J14 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8116
L Herse S/2003 J17 2003 B. Gladman IAUC 8116
LI S/2010 J1 2010 R. Jacobson, M. Brozovic, et al. IAUC 9222
LII S/2010 J2 2010 C. Veillet IAUC 9222
LIII Dia S/2000 J11 2000 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez, G. Magnier IAUC 7555
LIV S/2016 J1 2016 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2017-L08
LV S/2003 J18 2003 B. Gladman IAUC 8116
LVI S/2011 J2 2011 S.S. Sheppard CBET 3002/IAUC 9252
LVII Eirene S/2003 J5 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
LVIII Philophrosyne S/2003 J15 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8116
LIX S/2017 J1 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2017-L47
LX Eupheme S/2003 J3 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
LXI S/2003 J19 2003 B. Gladman IAUC 8125
LXII Valetudo S/2016 J2 2016 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O09
LXIII S/2017 J2 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O10
LXIV S/2017 J3 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O11
LXV Pandia S/2017 J4 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O12
LXVI S/2017 J5 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O13
LXVII S/2017 J6 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O14
LXVIII S/2017 J7 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O15
LXIX S/2017 J8 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O16
LXX S/2017 J9 2017 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O17
LXXI Ersa S/2018 J1 2018 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2018-O18
LXXII S/2011 J1 2011 S.S. Sheppard CBET 3002/IAUC 9252
S/2003 J2 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
S/2003 J4 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8087
S/2003 J9 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8089
S/2003 J10 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8089
S/2003 J12 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8089
S/2003 J16 2003 B. Gladman IAUC 8116
S/2003 J23 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8281
S/2003 J24 2003 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna, B.J. Gladman, C. Veillet MPEC 2021-V333
S/2011 J3 2011 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2022-Y69
S/2016 J3 2016 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-A13
S/2016 J4 2016 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-B96
S/2018 J2 2018 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2022-Y68
S/2018 J3 2018 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-B38
S/2018 J4 2018 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-B51
S/2021 J1 2021 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-A14
S/2021 J2 2021 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-B37
S/2021 J3 2021 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-B39
S/2021 J4 2021 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-B40
S/2021 J5 2021 S.S. Sheppard, D.J. Tholen, C. Trujillo MPEC 2023-B41
S/2021 J6 2021 S.S. Sheppard, D.J. Tholen, C. Trujillo MPEC 2023-B50
S/2022 J1 2022 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-D44
S/2022 J2 2022 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-D45
S/2022 J3 2022 S.S. Sheppard MPEC 2023-D46
Satellites of Saturn: 83
I Mimas 1789 W. Herschel
II Enceladus 1789 W. Herschel
III Tethys 1684 G.D. Cassini
IV Dione 1684 G.D. Cassini
V Rhea 1672 G.D. Cassini
VI Titan 1655 C. Huygens
VII Hyperion 1848 W. Bond, W. Lassell
VIII Iapetus 1671 G.D. Cassini
IX Phoebe 1898 W. Pickering
X Janus S/1980 S1 1966 A. Dollfus
XI Epimetheus S/1980 S3 1980 J. Fountain, S. Larson, H. Reitsema, B. Smith/Voyager 1
XII Helene S/1980 S6 1980 P. Laques and J. Lecacheux
XIII Telesto S/1980 S13 1980 B. Smith, H. Reitsema, S. Larson, J. Fountain/Voyager 1
XIV Calypso S/1980 S25 1980 D. Pascu, K. Seidelmann, W. Baum, D. Currie
XV Atlas S/1980 S28 1980 Voyager Science Team
XVI Prometheus S/1980 S27 1980 Voyager Science Team
XVII Pandora S/1980 S26 1980 Voyager Science Team
XVIII Pan S/1981 S13 1990 M. Showalter/Voyager 2
XIX Ymir S/2000 S1 2000 B. Gladman IAUC 7512
XX Paaliaq S/2000 S2 2000 B. Gladman IAUC 7512
XXI Tarvos S/2000 S4 2000 J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman IAUC 7513
XXII Ijiraq S/2000 S6 2000 J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman IAUC 7521
XXIII Suttungr S/2000 S12 2000 B. Gladman, J.J. Kavelaars IAUC 7548
XXIV Kiviuq S/2000 S5 2000 B. Gladman IAUC 7521
XXV Mundilfari S/2000 S9 2000 B. Gladman, J.J. Kavelaars IAUC 7538
XXVI Albiorix S/2000 S11 2000 M. Holman, T.B. Spahr IAUC 7545
XXVII Skathi S/2000 S8 2000 J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman IAUC 7538
XXVIII Erriapus S/2000 S10 2000 J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman IAUC 7539
XXIX Siarnaq S/2000 S3 2000 B. Gladman, J.J. Kavelaars IAUC 7513
XXX Thrymr S/2000 S7 2000 B. Gladman, J.J. Kavelaars IAUC 7538
XXXI Narvi S/2003 S1 2003 S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8116
XXXII Methone S/2004 S1 2004 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 8389
XXXIII Pallene S/2004 S2 2004 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 8389
XXXIV Polydeuces S/2004 S5 2004 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 8432
XXXV Daphnis S/2005 S1 2005 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 8524
XXXVI Aegir S/2004 S10 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XXXVII Bebhionn S/2004 S11 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XXXVIII Bergelmir S/2004 S15 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XXXIX Bestla S/2004 S18 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XL Farbauti S/2004 S9 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XLI Fenrir S/2004 S16 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XLII Fornjot S/2004 S8 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XLIII Hati S/2004 S14 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
XLIV Hyrrokkin S/2004 S19 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
XLV Kari S/2006 S2 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
XLVI Loge S/2006 S5 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
XLVII Skoll S/2006 S8 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
XLVIII Surtur S/2006 S7 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
XLIX Anthe S/2007 S4 2007 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 8857
L Jarnsaxa S/2006 S6 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
LI Greip S/2006 S4 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
LII Tarqeq S/2007 S1 2007 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8836
LIII Aegaeon S/2008 S1 2008 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 9023
LIV Gridr S/2004 S20 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T126
LV Angrboda S/2004 S22 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T128
LVI Skrymir S/2004 S23 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T129
LVII Gerd S/2004 S25 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T132
LIX Eggther S/2004 S27 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T134
LXI Beli S/2004 S30 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T137
LXII Gunnlod S/2004 S32 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T154
LXIII Thiazzi S/2004 S33 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T155
LXV Alvaldi S/2004 S35 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T157
LXVI Geirrod S/2004 S38 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T160
S/2004 S7 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
S/2004 S12 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
S/2004 S13 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
S/2004 S17 2005 D. Jewitt, S. Sheppard, J. Kleyna IAUC 8523
S/2004 S21 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T127
S/2004 S24 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T131
S/2004 S26 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T133
S/2004 S28 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T135
S/2004 S29 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T136
S/2004 S31 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T153
S/2004 S34 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T156
S/2004 S36 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T158
S/2004 S37 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T159
S/2004 S39 2004 S.S. Sheppard, D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna MPEC 2019-T161
S/2006 S1 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
S/2006 S3 2006 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8727
S/2007 S2 2007 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8836
S/2007 S3 2007 S. Sheppard, D. Jewitt, J. Kleyna IAUC 8836
S/2009 S1 2009 Cassini Imaging Science Team IAUC 9091
S/2019 S1 2019 E.J. Ashton, B.J. Gladman, J.-M. Petit, C. Veillet, M. Alexandersen MPEC 2021-W14
Satellites of Uranus: 27
I Ariel 1851 W. Lassell
II Umbriel 1851 W. Lassell
III Titania 1787 W. Herschel
IV Oberon 1787 W. Herschel
V Miranda 1948 G. Kuiper
VI Cordelia S/1986 U7 1986 Voyager Science Team
VII Ophelia S/1986 U8 1986 Voyager Science Team
VIII Bianca S/1986 U9 1986 Voyager Science Team
IX Cressida S/1986 U3 1986 Voyager Science Team
X Desdemona S/1986 U6 1986 Voyager Science Team
XI Juliet S/1986 U2 1986 Voyager Science Team
XII Portia S/1986 U1 1986 Voyager Science Team
XIII Rosalind S/1986 U4 1986 Voyager Science Team
XIV Belinda S/1986 U5 1986 Voyager Science Team
XV Puck S/1985 U1 1985 Voyager Science Team
XVI Caliban S/1997 U1 1997 B.J. Gladman, P.D. Nicholson, J.A. Burns, J.J. Kavelaars
XVII Sycorax S/1997 U2 1997 P.D. Nicholson, B.J. Gladman, J.A. Burns, J.J. Kavelaars
XVIII Prospero S/1999 U3 1999 M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman, J.-M. Petit, H. Scholl IAUC 7248
XIX Setebos S/1999 U1 1999 J.J. Kavelaars, B. Gladman, M. Holman, J.-M. Petit, H. Scholl IAUC 7230
XX Stephano S/1999 U2 1999 B. Gladman, M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, J.-M. Petit, H. Scholl IAUC 7230
XXI Trinculo S/2001 U1 2001 M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, D. Milisavljevic IAUC 7980
XXII Francisco S/2001 U3 2001 J.J. Kavelaars, M. Holman, D. Milisavljevic, T. Grav IAUC 8216, IAUC 7980
XXIII Margaret S/2003 U3 2003 D.C. Jewitt, S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8217
XXIV Ferdinand S/2001 U2 2001 D. Milisavljevic, M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, T. Grav IAUC 8213
XXV Perdita S/1986 U10 1999 E. Karkoschka/Voyager 2 IAUC 7171
XXVI Mab S/2003 U1 2003 M. R. Showalter, J. J. Lissauer IAUC 8209
XXVII Cupid S/2003 U2 2003 M. R. Showalter, J. J. Lissauer IAUC 8209
Satellites of Neptune: 14
I Triton 1846 W. Lassell
II Nereid 1949 G. Kuiper
III Naiad S/1989 N6 1989 Voyager Science Team
IV Thalassa S/1989 N5 1989 Voyager Science Team
V Despina S/1989 N3 1989 Voyager Science Team
VI Galatea S/1989 N4 1989 Voyager Science Team
VII Larissa S/1989 N2 1989 Voyager Science Team
VIII Proteus S/1989 N1 1989 Voyager Science Team
IX Halimede S/2002 N1 2002 M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, T. Grav, W. Fraser, D. Milisavljevic IAUC 8047
X Psamathe S/2003 N1 2003 D.C. Jewitt, J. Kleyna, S.S. Sheppard IAUC 8193
XI Sao S/2002 N2 2002 M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, T. Grav, W. Fraser, D. Milisavljevic IAUC 8047
XII Laomedeia S/2002 N3 2002 M. Holman, J.J. Kavelaars, T. Grav, W. Fraser, D. Milisavljevic IAUC 8047
XIII Neso S/2002 N4 2002 M. Holman et al., B. Gladman et al. IAUC 8213
XIV Hippocamp S/2004 N1 2013 M.R. Showalter, I. de Pater, J.J. Lissauer, R.S. French CBET 3586
Satellites of Dwarf Planet Pluto: 5
I Charon S/1978 P1 1978 J. Christy
II Nix S/2005 P2 2005 H.A. Weaver, S.A. Stern, et al. IAUC 8625
III Hydra S/2005 P1 2005 H.A. Weaver, S.A. Stern, et al. IAUC 8625
IV Kerberos S/2011 (134340) 1 2011 M.R. Showalter, D.P. Hamilton, et al. IAUC 9221
V Styx S/2012 (134340) 1 2012 M.R. Showalter, H.A. Weaver, et al. IAUC 9253

These data were last updated 2021-Nov-15.