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Health & Science5h 11m ago
A new paper by researchers at Caltech posits that Triton, Neptune's largest moon, obliterated the regular moon system it previously had, except for Nereid.
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Neptune's moon system, Solar System
Who
researchers at Caltech, Gerard Kuiper
What
A new paper by researchers at Caltech posits that Triton, Neptune's largest moon, obliterated the regular moon system it previously had, except for Nereid.
When
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 14:01:46 GMT · 5h 11m ago
Where
Neptune's moon system, Solar System ·
Why
Simulations suggest that Triton's capture into a highly eccentric orbit wreaked havoc on Neptune's existing moons, ejecting most but kicking Nereid into its current stable, elongated orbit.
The Frontline Impact
How this affects you
This research redefines understanding of Nereid's origin, suggesting it's a native moon rather than a captured Kuiper Belt Object, potentially offering insights into the formation of the Neptunian system.
Story chain
5 events in this thread- Health & Science5h 11m agoA new paper by researchers at Caltech posits that Triton, Neptune's largest moon, obliterated the regular moon system it previously had, except for one particular exception – Nereid.Open article
- Health & Science5h 11m agoA new paper by researchers at Caltech posits that Triton, by far Neptune's largest moon, absolutely obliterated the regular moon system it previously had, except for Nereid.Open article
- Currently Reading5h 11m agoA new paper by researchers at Caltech posits that Triton, Neptune's largest moon, obliterated the regular moon system it previously had, except for Nereid.
- Health & Science5h 11m agoA new paper by researchers at Caltech posits that Triton, Neptune's largest moon, obliterated the regular moon system it previously had, with Nereid being the sole exception.Open article
- Health & Science5h 11m agoA new paper suggests that Triton, Neptune's largest moon, obliterated the planet's original moon system, with Nereid being a possible sole survivor.Open article