New Satellites of Uranus and Neptune

Abstract

IN British Astronomical Association Circular No. 312 some details are given regarding the two newly discovered satellites of Uranus and Neptune, respectively; Both were discovered by Gerard P. Kujper during his search for new satellites with the 82-in reflector of the McDonald Observatory, University of Texas. The new satellite of Uranus, now named Miranda, was discovered on February 16, 1948, magnitude 17, and is now known to have a period of about 33h. 56m. The motion is approximately circular and in the plane of the other four satellites. Neptune ii, for which the name Nereid has been proposed by the discoverer, was found on May 1, 1949, on plates exposed for forty minutes at the prime focus, with the mirror stopped down to sixty-six inches (f/5). Its magnitude was estimated to be 19·5, and later observations show that its period is about two years and that the plane of its orbit is within six degrees of the ecliptic. Kuiper says that, as Neptune could retain satellites nearly ten times as far away as Nereid, with periods up to about fifty years, further work is planned to cover the outer regions of the system.