Thursday, April 25, 2024
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Space & Astronomy > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Space & Astronomy

Where did Triton come from ?

By T.K. Randall
June 6, 2011 · Comment icon 4 comments

Image Credit: ESA
Neptune's moon Tritan is unusual in that it is geologically active and has a retrograde orbit.
The last good look at Triton scientists had was back during the Voyager 2 mission in 1989, images sent back by the spacecraft revealed a smooth surface and nitrogen geysers. Now scientists are urging for a return mission to Neptune to take a closer look at its engimatic moon.
The current thinking is that Triton was not a rock but probably a Kuiper Belt object that was somehow pushed Neptune's way. But since we don't really know what Kuiper Belt objects look like, it's hard to tell.


Source: Technology Review | Comments (4)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by Taut 13 years ago
Wonder how many other planet sized things are hiding in the belt? And will they be coming to visit?
Comment icon #2 Posted by Cosmic2012 13 years ago
Very good question @Taut. I believe personally that there may be a lot of moon or even dwarf-planet sized objects in the KB. However, don't call them anything but Kuiper Belt objects or Neil DeGrasse Tyson might get upset Actually I think he is wrong in being so conclusive of the statements he made regarding anything out that far as only being KB objects. I usually like him, but when he tries to write the rules himself it irritates me. It would be nice to know if Triton did come from the KB. It would clue us into the possibilities that other larger bodies might be cruising around out there.
Comment icon #3 Posted by Surreptitious 13 years ago
I think it's pretty likely that Neptune and other gas giants, sucked previous planets into their orbits. Including KB objects.
Comment icon #4 Posted by 27vet 13 years ago
Earth could have a new moon one day.


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Recent news and articles