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Health & Science3h 40m 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 one particular exception – Nereid.

Neptune 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 one particular exception – Nereid.
When
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 14:01:46 GMT · 3h 40m ago
Where
Neptune system ·
Why
Triton, a captured Kuiper Belt Object, entered a highly eccentric, backward orbit around Neptune, creating havoc.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This research redefines the origin of Neptune's moon Nereid, suggesting it's an original moon kicked into an unusual orbit by Triton's capture, offering potential insights into the Neptunian system's formation.

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