The interior composition can only be guessed. Voyager 2 did not pass very close to Triton, therefore the density, from which a general idea of composition can be made, cannot be determined. A good guess is that Triton is made of ice throughout it's interior, except for a small core of rocky material. There may be a small layer of water inside Triton, however. This depends on how much of Triton is rocky and could help warm Triton. 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 evolution. |
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. |
An idea of what the inside of Triton is made of can only be guessed because the Voyager spacecraft could not measure the inside of the moon when it flew by in 1989. A good guess is that Triton is made of ice, 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 on whether the inside of Triton is warm. A small layer of water could make an environment where life could be found. 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.
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