This page lists 13 moons whose names begin with the letter E, ranging from “Europa” to “Erriapus.” These natural satellites circle planets across the solar system and vary widely in size, shape, and history. Scientists study them to understand how planets form, how gravity shapes worlds, and whether life could exist beyond Earth.
Moons are natural satellites that orbit a planet, pulled into place by gravity. The first moons beyond our own were discovered by Galileo in 1610 — including Europa, one of the most exciting places in the modern search for life.
Below you’ll find the table with Moon, Parent Planet, Diameter (km), Discovery Year, and Description.
Moon: The name of each moon starting with E — from the famous “Europa” to smaller, lesser-known satellites like “Erriapus.”
Parent Planet: The planet each moon orbits, helping you quickly place it in the right part of the solar system.
Diameter (km): The moon’s size measured across its widest point in kilometers, giving you a sense of scale from tiny to large.
Discovery Year: The year astronomers first spotted the moon, showing how our tools have improved from the 1600s to today.
Description: A brief summary covering what makes each moon stand out — its surface features, orbit type, or scientific significance.
Moons
Moon
Parent Planet
Diameter (km)
Discovery Year
Europa
Jupiter
3,122
1610
Elara
Jupiter
80
1905
Enceladus
Saturn
504
1789
Epimetheus
Saturn
113
1980
Erinome
Jupiter
3
2000
Euanthe
Jupiter
3
2001
Euporie
Jupiter
2
2001
Eurydome
Jupiter
3
2001
Eukelade
Jupiter
4
2001
Eirene
Jupiter
4
2000
Eupheme
Jupiter
2
2003
Ersa
Jupiter
3
2018
Erriapus
Saturn
10
2000
Descriptions
Europa
One of Jupiter’s four large Galilean moons, Europa has a smooth icy surface thought to conceal a vast liquid-water ocean beneath, making it one of the most compelling places in the solar system to search for life.
Elara
A prograde irregular moon of Jupiter discovered by Charles Perrine at Lick Observatory. It belongs to the Himalia group, a cluster of moons believed to share a common captured origin.
Enceladus
Saturn’s geologically active moon, discovered by William Herschel, is famous for plumes of water ice erupting from cracks near its south pole, pointing to a warm subsurface ocean and possible conditions for life.
Epimetheus
A small, irregularly shaped inner moon of Saturn that shares nearly the same orbit as Janus, with the two moons swapping positions every four years in a gravitational dance unique in the solar system.
Erinome
A tiny retrograde irregular moon of Jupiter belonging to the Carme group. Discovered during a broad survey of Jupiter’s outer moons, it likely originated as a fragment of a captured body.
Euanthe
A small retrograde irregular moon of Jupiter in the Ananke group. Named after a figure in Greek mythology, it orbits far from Jupiter in a steeply tilted path typical of the outer irregular moons.
Euporie
One of Jupiter’s smaller retrograde irregular moons, Euporie belongs to the Ananke group and was discovered as part of a major survey. Named after a goddess of abundance in Greek mythology.
Eurydome
A tiny retrograde irregular moon of Jupiter, named after a daughter of the ocean god Oceanus in Greek myth. It follows a distant, highly inclined orbit consistent with membership in the Pasiphae group.
Eukelade
A small retrograde irregular moon of Jupiter in the Carme group, named after one of the Muses in Greek mythology. It orbits Jupiter at a great distance in a steeply inclined retrograde path.
Eirene
A retrograde irregular moon of Jupiter discovered in 2000 and officially named in 2022 after the Greek goddess of peace. It is a member of the Carme group, orbiting far from Jupiter in a retrograde direction.
Eupheme
A small retrograde irregular moon of Jupiter discovered in 2003. Named after a minor goddess of praise in Greek mythology, it orbits in the distant, inclined paths characteristic of Jupiter’s outer irregular satellites.
Ersa
One of Jupiter’s most recently discovered and named moons, Ersa belongs to the prograde Himalia group. Named after the Greek goddess of dew, it was found in a survey that added several new moons to Jupiter’s count.
Erriapus
A small prograde irregular moon of Saturn named after a giant from Gaulish mythology. It is part of the Gallic group of Saturn’s outer moons, which share similar orbital characteristics and likely a common origin.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.
