During NASA's New Horizons mission's journey to Pluto, four small moons were detected, in addition to the large moon, Charon.



The irregularly shaped bodies do not behave like other observed moons in the solar system. NASA created an animation of their behavior.

Spinning Moons

Most inner moons in the solar system keep one face pointed toward their central planet; this animation shows that certainly isn't the case with the small moons of Pluto, which behave like spinning tops. Pluto is shown at center with, in order, from smaller to wider orbit: Charon, Styx (red), Nix (yellow), Kerberos (green), Hydra (blue).