Now Orbiting Pluto: Moons Nix and Hydra
Pluto’s two newly discovered moons have been named Nix and Hydra, scientists said Thursday.
The official designations for the second and third moons around the distant planet were approved by the International Astronomical Union.
Nix and Hydra were discovered in May 2005 by a team of researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope.
Nix gets its name from Nyx, the Greek goddess of darkness and night. Hydra is a mythical nine-headed serpent, seen as appropriate for the outermost moon of Pluto, the ninth planet in the solar system.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
