There are also the ongoing mysteries of Neptune’s largest moon Triton, which astronomers suspect is a planetoid flung from the outer Solar System and captured by Neptune’s gravity. At the same time, its position indicates where the planets formed (and since migrated to their current orbits). In short, its composition includes large amounts of gas that were part of the protostellar nebula from which our system formed. In addition to its intriguing interior structure (which includes diamond rain!), Neptune is believed to have played an significant role in the formation of the Solar System. Ice giants like Neptune are a potential treasure trove of scientific discoveries, as the authors describe in their paper.
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The paper that describes their findings (published in the journal Scientia Sinica Technologica) was led by Guobin Yu, a researcher with the School of Astronautics at Beihang University and the Department of Science and Technology and Quality at the CNSA. In fact, this mission was the subject of a study conducted by researchers from the China National Space Agency (CNSA), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China Atomic Energy Authority, the China Academy of Space Technology, and multiple universities and institutes. Not to be outdone, China is also contemplating a nuclear-powered Neptune Explorer to explore the ice giant planet, its largest moon (Triton), and its other satellites and rings. Examples include a Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP) that would study Uranus’ interior, atmosphere, magnetosphere, rings, and satellites and an Enceladus orbiter and surface lander to study the active plumes emanating fromthe southern polar region on Enceladus. Some bold and cutting-edge space missions are proposed for the coming decade, as made clear by the Planetary Decadal Survey for 2023 – 2032.
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Calçada China is Considering a Nuclear-Powered Mission to Neptune Using the CRIRES instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope, a team of astronomers has been able to see that the summer is in full swing in Triton’s southern hemisphere.
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The distant Sun appears at the upper left and the blue crescent of Neptune right of center. Artist’s impression of how Triton, Neptune’s largest moon, might look from high above its surface.