Imagine a moon orbiting another moon, which in turn orbits a planet—a cosmic dance so rare it sounds like science fiction. Yet, this celestial phenomenon, charmingly dubbed a “moonmoon,” has captured the imagination of astronomers and the internet alike. Thanks to a groundbreaking study by astronomers Juna Kollmeier of the Carnegie Institution Observatories and Sean Raymond of the University of Bordeaux, the concept of moonmoons is no longer just a whimsical idea but a tantalizing possibility that could reshape our understanding of the cosmos.
The journey to moonmoons began with a simple yet profound question posed by Kollmeier’s son in 2014: Can a moon have its own moon? Stumped by the query, Kollmeier dedicated years to unraveling this cosmic mystery. Alongside Raymond, she published a fascinating paper on arXiv titled “Can Moons Have Moons?” that explores the conditions necessary for a moonmoon to exist and survive. The findings have set the scientific community abuzz, with social media—particularly Twitter—erupting in excitement over the term “moonmoon,” a name that’s as delightful as it is catchy.
So, what exactly is a moonmoon? Picture a tiny celestial body, no larger than six miles in diameter, orbiting a much larger moon—think 620 miles or more in diameter—which itself orbits a planet. The setup requires a delicate balance: the moonmoon must be small enough to avoid being torn apart by tidal forces, and the moon it orbits needs sufficient distance from its planet to maintain stability. It’s a rare alignment of cosmic proportions, a setup so precise it’s as if the universe itself is playing a game of celestial Jenga.
While no moonmoons have been spotted in our solar system, the study highlights a few promising candidates that meet the size and orbital criteria. Saturn’s moons Titan and Iapetus, Jupiter’s Callisto, and even Earth’s own moon could theoretically host a moonmoon. Though we haven’t seen one yet, the absence of moonmoons doesn’t rule out their existence—it just means the conditions for their formation are extraordinarily specific.
The implications of moonmoons go far beyond their quirky name. According to Kollmeier, studying the absence of moonmoons could unlock secrets about the early history of our solar system, shedding light on the evolution of planets and their moons. “We’re really just scratching the surface here,” she told Gizmodo, hinting at the wealth of knowledge these elusive objects could reveal. The paper, still awaiting peer review, has already sparked excitement among astronomers, who see it as a potential goldmine for understanding the dynamics of celestial systems.
But let’s talk about the real star of the show: the name “moonmoon.” The internet has fallen head over heels for this adorably redundant term, which has taken on a life of its own. Long before the scientific paper, “Moonmoon” was the name of a beloved internet meme featuring a derpy-looking wolf, circulating since 2014. The connection between the goofy meme and the scientific term was too perfect to ignore, and online communities have embraced it with open arms. From Twitter threads to Reddit posts, the internet is rallying behind “moonmoon” as the official name for these celestial oddities, proving once again that the web has a knack for turning science into something irresistibly fun.
Other names like “submoon,” “moonlet,” and “moonito” have been floated, but none have captured the public’s heart quite like “moonmoon.” It’s simple, it’s silly, and it’s undeniably memorable—a perfect blend of science and whimsy. As the scientific community continues to explore the possibility of moonmoons, one thing is clear: this quirky name is here to stay, thanks to the internet’s unwavering love for it.
The discovery of moonmoons, or at least the potential for them, is a reminder of how much wonder the universe still holds. It’s a story that began with a child’s curious question and has grown into a phenomenon that bridges cutting-edge science with internet culture. So, keep your eyes on the skies—who knows when we might spot the first moonmoon? And when we do, you can bet the internet will be ready to celebrate, memes and all.