Manen

Manen is the Dutch word for moons, referring to natural satellites that orbit planets. The singular form is maan, meaning “the Moon” in Dutch, while manen is used when speaking of moons in general. In astronomical and planetary science contexts, manen describes the various satellites that accompany planets, such as the manen of Jupiter or the manen of Saturn. The term is specifically Dutch and is commonly found in Dutch-language texts dealing with space and astronomy.

In practice, many planets in the Solar System have multiple manen, with sizes and compositions ranging from small, irregularly shaped bodies to larger, spherical ones. The discovery and study of manen help scientists understand planetary formation, gravitational dynamics, and the history of the Solar System. The term can also appear in educational materials and popular science coverage in Dutch to explain planetary systems to a general audience.

While manen denotes moons in Dutch, other languages use different terms for natural satellites. The concept of a moon or natural satellite is universal, but terminology varies by language. See also Moon and natural satellite for broader context.