ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dysnomia (moon)

Dysnomia is a moon that orbits a dwarf planet named Eris in our solar system.

Think of Eris as a big ball and Dysnomia as a small ball that goes around and around the big ball. Just like our moon goes around and around our Earth.

What’s interesting about Dysnomia is that it was discovered at the same time as its bigger partner, Eris, back in 2005. It was named after the daughter of Eris in Greek mythology.

Dysnomia is very small compared to Eris - it’s only about one-fourth the size of Eris. Scientists believe that Dysnomia might have formed from the same material that Eris did when it was hit by another big object a long time ago.

Even though Dysnomia is small, scientists think it might have an important job. They believe that it helps keep Eris stable in its path around the sun. It’s kind of like how a little brother might help his bigger sister by holding her hand when they’re walking, so she doesn’t fall.

So, Dysnomia is like a small moon that travels around a big dwarf planet named Eris. It helps keep its big brother/ big sister stable on its journey around the sun, and it was named after the daughter of Eris in Greek mythology.