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Triton
A large moon moving opposite Neptune's rotation.
- classification
- Icy moon
- system
- Neptune system
Triton's retrograde orbit suggests it was captured. Its young surface includes nitrogen-ice terrain and observed plume activity.
- Class
- Icy moon
- Location / system
- Neptune system
- Distance
- 355,000 km mean distance from Neptune
Only values with an established scientific consensus are listed. Where a quantity is uncertain or model-dependent, it is discussed in the sections below rather than stated as data.
Overview (starter entry, expanded review pending)
Triton's retrograde orbit suggests it was captured. Its young surface includes nitrogen-ice terrain and observed plume activity.
Imaging, spectra and orbital dynamics
Triton's surface or atmosphere is constrained by telescopic and spacecraft imaging where available; spectra identify materials, while repeated position measurements establish its orbit and system context.
- What remains least constrained about Triton?Composition, internal structure, formation history or local environment can require different observations and may remain model-dependent.
Items above are unresolved. Hypotheses are labelled as such and are not presented as confirmed findings.
NASA // verified 28 September 2026
NASA/JPL // verified 28 September 2026