This is an image of Triton.
Click on image for full size
NASA

Triton Composition

When the Voyager mission flew by Triton, it took the spectra of the surface. The spectra matched that of ice and also several different kinds of snow (crushed ice).

The Voyager spacecraft could not measure the interior of the moons, however. A good guess is that Triton is made of ice throughout it's interior, except for a small core of rocky material at the center. There may be a small layer of water inside Triton too, however this depends upon whether the inside of Triton is warm. A small layer of water could provide an environment for life. Only more exploration will help us know for sure if these things are possible.

The fact that this moon is made primarily of ice suggests a certain path for it's history.


Last modified April 22, 2009 by Randy Russell.

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