GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Before the flyby of Voyager 2, astronomers suspected that Triton might have liquid nitrogen seas and a nitrogen/methane atmosphere with a density as much as 30% that of Earth. Like the famous overestimates of the atmospheric density of Mars, this proved incorrect.

Detailed explanation-2: -Probably the most interesting feature on Triton is the active ice volcanoes that were observed by the Voyager 2. One of the plumes was measured to be over five miles high. The volcanoes are thought to be caused by liquid nitrogen, dust or methane compounds from the center of the moon.

Detailed explanation-3: -The geyser-like eruptions on Triton occur when sunlight is absorbed by dark particles encased within the frozen nitrogen on Triton’s surface. This acts as a form of greenhouse effect which causes the temperature of the nitrogen ice to increase.

Detailed explanation-4: -Triton is unique among the large moons of the solar system in that it moves in a retrograde orbit-i.e., one that is opposite the direction of Neptune’s rotation. Its mean orbital distance is about 354, 800 km (220, 500 miles) from the planet.