Satellites of Neptune


  • Triton

  • discovered in 1846
  • has a diameter of 1,700 mi. (2,700 km.)
  • travels in an unusual retrograde orbit
  • has several active "geysers" of nitrogen ice and gas

  • Nereid

  • discovered in 1949
  • estimated diameter of 145 to 290 mi(235 to 470 km.)


    The Voyager 2 Space Probe encountered Neptune in 1989, discovering six smaller, dark moons:
  • Naiad
  • Thalassa
  • Despina
  • Galatea
  • Larissa
  • Proteus



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    Copyright 1996