NASA's Voyager 1 Discovers Three New Moons at Saturn
A Historic Mission with Lasting Discoveries
Forty-five years ago, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft embarked on an unprecedented journey to the outer planets. As it approached Saturn in November 1980, Voyager 1 not only captured stunning images of the ringed planet but also made an astounding discovery.
Three New Moons Emerge
During its encounter with Saturn, Voyager 1 identified three previously unknown icy moons orbiting the planet. These moons, named Pan, Atlas, and Prometheus, were unobserved by earlier flybys due to their small size and faintness.
Pan, the smallest of the three, orbits Saturn's innermost ring, the Encke Ring. Atlas, located between the A and F rings, is unique in its ability to "shepherd" Saturn's rings, preventing them from spreading outward. Prometheus, orbiting just outside the F ring, has a retrograde motion, spinning in the opposite direction of Saturn's rotation.
The discovery of these three moons provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of Saturn's intricate ring system. It demonstrated the power of robotic exploration and the enduring impact of the Voyager 1 mission.
Comments