Question

Which of the following is a satellite of Neptune?
A. Titon
B. Phobos
C. Deimos
D. Triton

Answer 1

Hint: You can start by explaining satellites along with an example. Then write down which of the given options is the satellite of Neptune, i.e. Triton, and mention some features of Triton (radius, orbital period, etc.).

Complete answer:
Satellites are celestial bodies that revolve around a planet. A classic example of a satellite is the moon, the moon is the satellite of earth that revolves around the earth. Even some small asteroids have their own satellites that revolve around them. Satellites also refer to artificial satellites that are man-made and launched in orbits around planets.

Mercury and Venus have no natural satellite, earth has only one natural satellite and every other planet has more than one natural satellite.

The satellite for Neptune is Triton. Aside from Triton Neptune has 13 other satellites. Among all the satellites of Neptune, Triton is the largest satellite of Neptune and was discovered on 10 Oct 1846 by astronomer William Lassell. Its radius is 1353km and its orbital period (time taken by satellite to revolve around the plane) is 141 hours.

As for Titon, Phobos, and Deimos, Titon is not a satellite, and Phobos and Deimos are the satellites of Mars.

So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Note:
Triton is a very special satellite, it is unusual because Triton is the only large moon in the solar system that revolves in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the Neptune. This gives the assumption that Triton was initially a dwarf planet that Neptune captured during the formation of the solar system.