NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Discovered New Pluto Moon.
Astronomers have discovered a fourth moon orbiting the distant planet of Pluto using the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA, ESA, and M. Showalter (S

Astronomers have discovered a fourth moon orbiting the distant planet of Pluto using the Hubble Space Telescope. The latest discovery has been temporarily named P4, and joins the planet's other three satellites; Charon, Nix and Hydra.

The finding has been the result of the ongoing work supporting NASA's New Horizons mission, which is scheduled to fly through the Pluto system in 2015.

I find it remarkable that Hubble's cameras enabled us to see such a tiny object so clearly from a distance of more than 3 billion miles (5 billion km), stated Mark Showalter of the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif., who led this observing program with Hubble.

Although P4 is the temporary designation of Pluto's new satellite, astronomers and space researchers have been dwelling on all possible names for the fourth moon.

A recent Facebook poll by astronomy site Space.com revealed some interesting options like Mickey, Hades, Erebus, Styx, Goofy, Cerberus and Snape.

With over 400 votes currently, Mickey leads the list of possible names for P4. However, the ultimate decision lies with the International Astronomical Union and it is believed that the committee will try to keep the wishes of its discoverer -- astronomer Mark Showalter of the SETI Institute in California -- in mind.

We have a lot of colorful names to choose from because all the moon names come from, essentially, the minions of Hades [the Greeks' name for Pluto]. One name that seems to come up most is Cerberus, the dog who guards the gates to hell, Life's Little Mysteries quoted Showalter as stating.

Showalter and his team are reportedly surfing the net for new ideas and is said to submit their suggestions soon.

Check out the amazing discovery of the fourth Pluto moon below:

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