uranus88Snificant Events. March 13, 1781: British astronomer William Herschel discovers Uranus – the first new planet discovered since ancient times – while searching for faint stars. 1787-1851: Four Uranian moons are discoveredThe Literary Moons. Uranus has 28 known moons, including five major moons: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon.. The moons are sometimes called the literary