Discovery of S/2011 J 1

S/2011 J 1 is a small natural satellite of Jupiter, one of the many faint outer moons of the giant planet that can be detected only with large telescopes and sensitive cameras. Such moons are typically irregular, with distant, inclined or retrograde orbits, and are thought to be captured asteroids or comet fragments rather than bodies formed together with Jupiter. A moon found this way receives a provisional designation based on the year of discovery, the planet and an order number, as in this case, until its orbit is well enough known for an official name to be given.

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