In the following tables, planetary satellites are indicated in bold type (e.g.
Moon) while planets and dwarf planets, which directly circle the Sun, are in italic type (e.g.
Earth). The Sun itself is indicated in roman type. The tables are sorted by publication/announcement date. Dates are annotated with the following symbols: •
i: for date of the discovery observation. This is not always the date of first imaging (photography, etc.) – see
precovery; •
o: for date of first human visual observation, either through
telescope or on
photographic plate; •
p: for date of announcement or publication. In a few cases, the date is uncertain and is then marked "(?)".
* Note: Moons marked by an asterisk (*) had complicated discoveries, such as being lost and rediscovered. Some of them thus appear multiple times in the list to clarify the situation. ;Color legend The Sun, the
planets,
dwarf planets, and their natural satellites are marked in the following colors: ;Sun ;Planets ;Consensus dwarf planets ;Other
dwarf planet candidates It is not known precisely how many objects in the Solar System are dwarf planets. The nine objects listed in the third column are the ones agreed on by most astronomers, corresponding to a threshold of about 900–1000 km diameter. There may be more; some of the largest objects beyond that threshold are included in the fourth column as candidates. In particular, Salacia and Varda each have a rather large moon, and current estimates for their densities still leave open the possibility that they are dwarf planets. ;Designations • Other designations are synonyms or periphrases sometimes encountered for the object. • Permanent designations (of planetary satellites) are explained
here. • Temporary designations are explained
here. If a satellite is named, its name is bolded; if it is unnamed, but has a permanent designation, then its permanent designation is bolded; and if it has neither, then its temporary designation is bolded. == Prehistorically discovered ==