PROFILEMoon of Neptune
A clue to its origins
Its unusual orbit suggests that Triton may have been captured by Neptune’s gravity rather than forming close to the planet.
A distant encounter
Voyager 2 observed Triton during its 1989 flyby of Neptune, revealing a cold surface and signs of activity.
FACTS TO EXPLORE
ORBITAL PERIODabout 5.9 days
LOCATIONMoon of Neptune
Values are rounded. AU means astronomical unit. NASA source ↗
