Why Jupiter Has Four Giant Moons While Saturn Has Just One, Study Explains

Why Jupiter Has Four Giant Moons While Saturn Has Just One, Study Explains

Scientists suggest the strong magnetic field of Jupiter created regions for multiple large moons to form, unlike Saturn. The findings could reshape how astronomers search for exomoons in distant planetary systems.

Why do Jupiter’s large moons outnumber Saturn’s?

View larger. | This artist’s concept shows Jupiter with its powerful magnetic field (left) and Saturn with its weaker magnetic field in the early years of our solar system. Jupiter’s disk of material has cavities in it, while Saturn’s doesn’t. New findings suggest these cavities gave Jupiter’s large moons a place to form and grow. Image via Yuri I. Fujii/ L-INSIGHT (Kyoto University)/ Shinichiro Kinoshita/ Kyoto University. Jupiter and Saturn b…