Why is Neptune's moon Triton so weird? | Space
WEBSep 15, 2023 · The capturing of Triton explains its strange orbit. If it didn't form organically in the Neptunian system, it would have no reason to share the orbital plane with the regular moons.
Triton (moon) - Wikipedia
WEBThe proposed capture of Triton may explain several features of the Neptunian system, including the extremely eccentric orbit of Neptune's moon Nereid and the scarcity of moons as compared to the other giant planets.
Why Do We Think Triton Is a Captured Moon? - CosmoBC AstroBlog
WEBOct 25, 2023 · Discover key evidence suggesting that Triton, Neptune's moon, is a captured moon. Explore its unusual orbit, composition, and unique features.
How Triton met Neptune - Physics World
WEBMay 10, 2006 · Over the years, scientists have proposed several mechanisms to explain how Triton was captured by Neptune. These include the “gas-drag” effect, whereby Neptune’s atmosphere — which was much more extensive than it is today — slowed Triton down enough for it to be captured.
The origin of Neptune's oddball moon Triton - UCSC
WEBThe origin of Neptune's oddball moon Triton. This image depicts Triton and its binary companion as they approach Neptune. This encounter facilitated Triton's capture to an inclined retrograde orbit around Neptune, an event that catastrophically altered the Neptune satellite system.
Neptune's capture of its moon Triton in a binary–planet …
WEBMay 11, 2006 · Here we report that a three-body gravitational encounter between a binary system (of ∼103-kilometre-sized bodies) and Neptune is a far more likely explanation for Triton's capture.
Reassessing the origin of Triton - ScienceDirect
WEBJul 1, 2011 · We study the capture and evolution of Triton in the framework of the Nice model. The current orbit of Triton is obtained after 200 Myr of tidal evolution. The probability of Neptune ending up with a circular, retrograde satellite is 40%. Nereid’s orbit suggests Triton was captured just after Neptune’s formation.
New Capture Scenario Explains Origin Of Neptune's Oddball Moon Triton
WEBMay 11, 2006 · According to a new model for the capture of planetary satellites, Triton was originally a member of a binary pair of objects orbiting the Sun before it was captured by Neptune in a three-body...
WEBSummary: After being captured into Neptune’s or-bit, Triton was likely intensely tidally heated and melted as its highly eccentric orbit was gradually circularized. However, as melting caused the ice shell to thin, the magnitude of tidal dissipation decreased as the volume of the dissipating region grew smaller.
In Depth | Triton – NASA Solar System Exploration
WEBTriton 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 …