Irregular Moons
Irregular moons are natural satellites that orbit their planets in an unpredictable manner, often at great distances and with tilted or eccentric paths. Unlike regular moons, which have stable, circular orbits, irregular moons can be captured asteroids or remnants from the early solar system. They typically have irregular shapes and sizes, reflecting their diverse origins.
Many of the irregular moons are found around the gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. These moons can be categorized into groups based on their orbits, such as prograde or retrograde, indicating the direction they travel relative to their planet's rotation. Their study helps scientists understand the history and formation of planetary systems.