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Triton orbits Neptune in a retrograde orbit—revolving in the opposite direction to the parent planet's rotation—the only large moon in the Solar System to do so. [ 3 ] [ 13 ] Triton is thought to have once been a dwarf planet from the Kuiper belt , captured into Neptune's orbit by the latter's gravity .
- Discovery
- Overview
- How Triton Got Its Name
Triton was discovered on Oct. 10, 1846 by British astronomer William Lassell, just 17 days after Neptune itself was discovered.
Triton is the largest of Neptune's 13 moons. It is unusual because it is the only large moon in our solar system that orbits in the opposite direction of its planet's rotation―a retrograde orbit. Scientists think Triton is a Kuiper Belt Object captured by Neptune's gravity millions of years ago. It shares many similarities with Pluto, the best know...
Triton is named after the son of Poseidon (the Greek god comparable to the Roman Neptune). Until the discovery of the second moon Nereid in 1949, Triton was commonly known as simply "the satellite of Neptune."
Overview. Triton is the largest of Neptune's 13 moons. It is unusual because it is the only large moon in our solar system that orbits in the opposite direction of its planet's rotation―a retrograde orbit. Scientists think Triton is a Kuiper Belt Object captured by Neptune's gravity millions of years ago. It shares many similarities with ...
Oct 4, 2024 · Triton is unique among the large moons of the solar system in that it moves in a retrograde orbit —i.e., one that is opposite the direction of Neptune’s rotation. Its mean orbital distance is about 354,800 km (220,500 miles) from the planet. Also unusual for a large moon is Triton’s orbital inclination—the plane of its orbit is tilted ...
NameMean Distance From Centre Of Neptune ...Orbital Period (sidereal Period; Earth ...Inclination Of Orbit To Planet's Equator ...Naiad48,2240.2945.0733Thalassa50,0740.3110.1371Despina52,5260.3350.0583Galatea61,9530.4290.0231Triton orbits Neptune in retrograde — that is, opposite to the direction of Neptune’s rotation on its axis. This may imply that Triton was captured by Neptune’s gravity into its inclined orbit. Triton rotates once on its axis as it orbits the planet. It keeps the same face toward Neptune at all times.
Jul 10, 2017 · While many moons in the solar system have retrograde orbits, Triton is unique in this regard because it is the largest moon to orbit its parent body in the wrong direction. By way of comparison, some of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons have retrograde orbits, but they are situated much further away from their planets, and are also much smaller, with the largest among these moons, Phoebe (a ...
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Jul 31, 2022 · Triton is one of the most intriguing objects in the Solar system. Since its discovery in 1864, it was obvious that there was something very interesting about it. It was (and still is) the only moon in the solar system that has a retrograde orbit, which means it orbits in the opposite direction of the planet’s rotation.
