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2019-20 Bangladesh Winner, Grade 7-8 - Topic: Triton
Nawba Tahiya Hossain

Nawba Tahiya Hossain

Grade: 8

School : Shaheed Bir Uttam Lt.Anwar Girls' College.

City: Mirpur

Topic: Triton

"The solar system is astounding us at every moment by its mysteriousness. Day by day the solar system has changed a lot from its initial state. So far, the number of the planets in the solar system is 8. Neptune is one of them. Neptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun in the Solar System, it is the fourth largest planet by diameter, the third-most-massive planet.

The number of moons of Neptune is 14. And the biggest among them is “Triton.” Triton was discovered by British astronomer William Lassell on 10th October, 1846. When John Herschel received news of Neptune's discovery, he wrote to Lassell suggesting he search for possible moons. Lassell did so, and discovered Triton eight days later.

Artist's view of Voyager 2 at Triton
Triton is named after the Greek sea god Triton the son of Poseidon. Initially the scientists believed that Triton might contain liquid nitrogen and the concentration of nitrogen-methane is 30% of the Earth. But later that proved to be wrong. On 1977 Triton was first seen by the space probe known as Voyager 2.

At first Gerard Kuiper calculated the diameter of Triton as 3800 kilometers. After that several scientists have found its diameter between 2500-6000 kilo meter. But on 25th August, 1989 the space probe voyager 2 gave the exact value and it is 2706 kilo meter. On 2nd August, 1989 voyager 2 sent some information and picture of Triton. According to the information we can determine that Triton is made of hard rocky surface and ice of nitrogen. Analyzing some of the subtle activities under the ground, it can be inferred that water can be found in here. The atmosphere of Triton is so weak that it not possible to develop life in here. The average temperature of Triton is minus 235 degree Celsius. It is the coolest temperature. Light reflects here. Triton rotates in the opposite direction with its planet.

The orbit of Triton generates 30 degrees with the rotation of Neptune and the orbit of Neptune generates 157 degrees with the rotation of Triton. Triton travels to Neptune’s orbit once in 678 year. Triton is bound in relative rotation with Neptune. One side of the Triton always confronts with the one side of Neptune. As Neptune revolves around the sun, so alternately the polar region of the Triton rotates toward the sun. As a result, the weather changes on a specific side and the other side comes closer to the sun. Triton rotates as a circle. The gravity of the Neptune is responsible for this.

Still Triton is an ideal satellite for research. Whether Triton is habitable or not is still a matter of research.

As light reflects here so any kind of metal can be found in here. Neptune doesn’t have the components which is Triton made of. It is expected that Triton will reach Roche Limit and will make a clash with the atmosphere of Neptune or will make a ring of Neptune."

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