Is there a planet called Triton?

Is there a planet called Triton?

Triton is the largest natural satellite of the planet Neptune, and was the first Neptunian moon to be discovered, on October 10, 1846, by English astronomer William Lassell. It is the only large moon in the Solar System with a retrograde orbit, an orbit in the direction opposite to its planet’s rotation.

Is Pluto like Triton?

Triton is only slightly larger than Pluto. Both worlds have similar surface materials, such as nitrogen, methane and carbon monoxide. Their diameters, masses and densities are amazingly similar. Both Triton and Pluto may also have originated within the Kuiper Belt.

Can we live on Triton?

Neptune, like the other gas giants in our solar system, doesn’t have much of a solid surface to live on. But the planet’s largest moon, Triton, could make an interesting place to set up a space colony. Though there are slight winds in Triton’s thin atmosphere, you wouldn’t feel any breeze while standing on the surface.

Why is Triton named Triton?

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.”

What year was Triton discovered?

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.

What type of orbit does the moon Triton have?

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.

Is Triton the largest moon 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.

Why does Triton have seasons like Neptune?

As a result of this synchronous rotation, the moon always keeps the same face toward Neptune and leads with the same face in its orbit. Each of Triton’s seasons, like those of Neptune, lasts nearly 41 years, or one-fourth of Neptune’s orbital period.