MOONS OF NEPTUNE
Neptune has 13 moons, but only 8 are really important. The other 5 are just tiny satellites floating around Neptune. Also, the non-important 5 don't even have names; they are just a mix of letters and numbers.
Protéus:
With a 420 kilometer diameter, Protéus is Neptune's second largest moon. Protéus isn't spherical, but it isn't quite non-spherical either. It was discovered by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1989. Like most of the other moons, it is thought to have been formed by the rock and dust from the rings of Neptune. The moon composition is interesting, as it might contain complex organic molecules like hydrocarbons or cyanides. Underneath the surface is thought to be mainly water ice.
With a 420 kilometer diameter, Protéus is Neptune's second largest moon. Protéus isn't spherical, but it isn't quite non-spherical either. It was discovered by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1989. Like most of the other moons, it is thought to have been formed by the rock and dust from the rings of Neptune. The moon composition is interesting, as it might contain complex organic molecules like hydrocarbons or cyanides. Underneath the surface is thought to be mainly water ice.
Nereid:
Nereid was discovered by Gerard P. Kuiper, in 1949. Nereid is the third largest moon of Neptune. It has a highly eccentric, or wobbly orbit. At average, Nereid is about 5,513,400 kilometers on orbit around Neptune. At certain times, however, Neried can be as close as 1,372,000 kilometers and as far as 9,655,000 kilometers. Because of this bizarre orbit, Nereid is thought to be a Kuiper Belt object or a large
captured asteroid. Nereid is about 170 kilometers across, and is mainly composed of water, dust, rock, and ice.
Nereid was discovered by Gerard P. Kuiper, in 1949. Nereid is the third largest moon of Neptune. It has a highly eccentric, or wobbly orbit. At average, Nereid is about 5,513,400 kilometers on orbit around Neptune. At certain times, however, Neried can be as close as 1,372,000 kilometers and as far as 9,655,000 kilometers. Because of this bizarre orbit, Nereid is thought to be a Kuiper Belt object or a large
captured asteroid. Nereid is about 170 kilometers across, and is mainly composed of water, dust, rock, and ice.
Larissa:
Also known as "Neptune VII", Larissa is the 5th closest object to Neptune. It was discovered in 1981 by Harold J. Reitsema, William B. Hubbard, Larry A.
Lebofsky and David J. Tholen. A fly-by by Voyager 2 confirmed its existence in 1989. Not much is known about Larissa. It is the 4th largest moon, and is non-spherical. It has many craters, and is thought to have formed from the "rubble in space", otherwise know as debris from Neptune's Rings.
Also known as "Neptune VII", Larissa is the 5th closest object to Neptune. It was discovered in 1981 by Harold J. Reitsema, William B. Hubbard, Larry A.
Lebofsky and David J. Tholen. A fly-by by Voyager 2 confirmed its existence in 1989. Not much is known about Larissa. It is the 4th largest moon, and is non-spherical. It has many craters, and is thought to have formed from the "rubble in space", otherwise know as debris from Neptune's Rings.
Galatea:
Galatea was discovered my the Voyager 2 on August 2, 1989. It is thought to be made from other satellites forming together. Galatea is slowly spiraling inwards toward Neptune's atmosphere. Eventually it will crash in or break up on the surface.
Galatea was discovered my the Voyager 2 on August 2, 1989. It is thought to be made from other satellites forming together. Galatea is slowly spiraling inwards toward Neptune's atmosphere. Eventually it will crash in or break up on the surface.
Naiad:
Naiad was discovered in early September, 1989, by the Voyager 2. Naiad is the innermost satellite; it orbits at 23,500 kilometers above Neptune's surface. Naiad's orbit is getting closer and closer, so it will eventually just break up to form more planetary rings. Naiad has a non-spherical composition.
Naiad was discovered in early September, 1989, by the Voyager 2. Naiad is the innermost satellite; it orbits at 23,500 kilometers above Neptune's surface. Naiad's orbit is getting closer and closer, so it will eventually just break up to form more planetary rings. Naiad has a non-spherical composition.
Thalassa:
Thalassa was discovered before September in 1989, by Voyager 2. It is the second innermost Neptunium moon. It is irregular shaped, and it has no geological active processes. Thalassa may be one of Neptune's original satellites.
Thalassa was discovered before September in 1989, by Voyager 2. It is the second innermost Neptunium moon. It is irregular shaped, and it has no geological active processes. Thalassa may be one of Neptune's original satellites.
Despina:
Despina is almost exactly like Thalassa, except it is the third innermost moon. It will eventually break up into rubble, or form more rings.
Despina is almost exactly like Thalassa, except it is the third innermost moon. It will eventually break up into rubble, or form more rings.