On August 19, 2025, Moroccan scientist Maryame El Moutamid led a team at the Southwest Research Institute that discovered a tiny new moon orbiting Uranus using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The satellite, provisionally named S/2025 U 1, measures only about 10 km in diameter and orbits roughly 56,000 km from Uranus, between the moons Ophelia and Bianca. This discovery brings Uranus’s known moon count to 29 and highlights JWST’s ability to detect previously unseen celestial objects. The observations were originally made on February 2, 2025, but the public announcement came this week. Maryame El Moutamid’s leadership emphasizes Morocco’s growing presence in planetary science and space exploration. The finding has been confirmed by multiple sources, including NASA and the Southwest Research Institute. This achievement demonstrates the country’s capability to contribute to high-profile international space research. The discovery has sparked global excitement, inspiring young scientists in Morocco and across Africa. It underscores Morocco’s commitment to advancing science and technology on the international stage.
From Morocco to Uranus
