Triton

Introduction
Basic data
Surface features
Evolution

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

At a Glance

Triton summary

Quizzes

View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).

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The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet

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Saturn. Saturn and its rings. Second largest planet of the solar system. Space Art

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Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

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Buzz Aldrin. Apollo 11. Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin Aldrin, photographed July 20, 1969, during the first manned mission to the Moon's surface. Reflected in Aldrin's faceplate is the Lunar Module and astronaut Neil Armstrong, who took the picture.

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Related Questions

How can freezing subsurface water crack Triton’s outer ice layer?
How can frozen nitrogen create Triton’s thin atmosphere?
How close did Voyager 2 come to Triton?
How could Triton’s capture have disrupted Neptune’s original moons?
How could a collision have helped Neptune capture Triton?
How did tidal interactions change Triton’s original orbit?
How do Triton’s geyserlike plumes form dark streaks across the surface?
How does Triton compare in size with Neptune’s other moons?
How does Triton’s atmospheric pressure compare with Earth’s?
How far can dust from Triton’s plumes travel?
How far from Neptune does Triton orbit?
How high can material from Triton’s plumes rise?
How is Triton’s interior thought to be arranged?
How long does Triton take to orbit Neptune?
How long does Triton take to rotate once on its axis?
How long does a season on Triton last?
How might Triton have been captured by Neptune?
How soon after Neptune’s discovery was Triton found?
How tilted is Triton’s orbit compared with Neptune’s equator?
What are the dark streaks found in Triton’s polar region?
What did Voyager 2 learn about Triton’s size?
What does Triton’s density reveal about its interior?
What does it mean that Triton has a retrograde orbit?
What is Triton’s surface temperature?
What materials cover Triton’s visible surface?
What spacecraft has visited Triton?
What was Triton’s southern polar cap made of during the Voyager 2 flyby?
When did Voyager 2 fly past Triton?
When was Triton discovered?
Where are Triton’s frozen lake-like surface features located?
Which figure from Greek mythology gave Triton its name?
Which trace ices have been detected on Triton?
Who discovered Triton?
Why are Triton’s tall terrace cliffs thought to be supported by water ice?
Why do some of Triton’s lake-like features have terraced edges?
Why does Triton always show the same face toward Neptune?
Why is Triton’s retrograde orbit important evidence about its origin?
Why is sunlight thought to help drive Triton’s active plumes?

Science Astronomy

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External Websites

Lunar and Planetary Institute - The exploration of Neptune and Triton (PDF)
IOPscience - The Planetary Science Journal - Triton: Fascinating Moon, Likely Ocean World, Compelling Destination!
Space.com - Triton: Neptune's Odd Moon
NASA Science - Triton
The Planetary Society - Triton, Neptune's largest moon
ESO Sciences - Astronomy and Astrophysics - Constraints on the evolution of the Triton atmosphere from occultations: 1989ï¿½2022
University of Central Florida Pressbooks - Astronomy - Titan and Triton

Triton

astronomy

Written by

Ellis D. Miner

Space Scientist (retired), Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. Author of Uranus: The Planet, Rings, and Satellites; coauthor of Neptune: The Planet, Rings,...

Ellis D. Miner

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 7, 2026 •History

Triton, largest of Neptune’s moons, whose unusual orbital characteristics suggest that it formed elsewhere in the solar system and was later captured by Neptune. It was discovered by the English astronomer William Lassell in October 1846, only a few weeks after the discovery of Neptune itself. Triton was named after a merman in Greek mythology who was the son of the sea god Poseidon (the Roman god Neptune). Triton is unique among the large moons...

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