OT Question for Astronomers
 

Looks like Triton's orbit is inclined about 157 degrees to the plane of Neptune's rotation, and Neptune's rotation is inclined about 30 degrees off the plane of its orbit around Sol.

Am I supposed to add these two to get the inclination of Triton's rotation (which is the same as it's orbit of Neptune as it is tidelocked) to Sol? That would make enough sense, as that would fit what I've read about Triton having a retrograde orbit.

But, I've also read that Triton turns its pole to the Sun, more like the whole regular portion of the Uranian system. This would not fit with the whole 'add them' thing as it 187 degrees of inclination is nearly parallel. It would also make the whole 'retrograde' thing hard for me to grasp.

So which is it?

I've got some links.

http://www.projectpluto.com/nsats.htm
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/features...ne/triton.html
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplan...ts/triton.html
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~sheppard/...epsatdata.html


Links with answers.... please?

[ October 28, 2003, 19:08: Message edited by: Loser ]

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

Planning a trip are we? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

Triton is a boring place. I recommend Callisto for a best kick for your bucks http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Seriosly though vulcan eruptions are worth it !

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Active eruptions can only be found on Earth, Venus, Io, and Triton, so far. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Just some highly fictional reference material.

But does anyone have the answer?

A little animated model of the Solar System would really be ideal... but any dependable answer would be very appreciated.

[ October 29, 2003, 03:04: Message edited by: Loser ]

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">A site with some more information.

http://www.boulder.swri.edu/TritonWatch/background.html

the science overview section seems to suggest that you can neither add or substract the values, and that it is more complicated. it seems that triton's orbit precesses, which causes it to have seasonal fluctuations of about 688 years. A quote from http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ssb/neptglos.html:
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I'm not sure how accurate that information is since they seem to have the period of Tritons orbital motion wrong by quite a few days..

Things like this make my head hurt http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

[ October 29, 2003, 09:10: Message edited by: henk brouwer ]

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

I take my words back http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif
Ice volcanoes are cool !!

Is it really possible that Triton came from outer space as implied in the artticle ?

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

Thanks, Henk. That one does a lot to answer my question. This is, I think, the link you were actually trying to give out second.

I'd still like a picture, moving if possible, interactive if I'm very, very lucky, but I think I have enough to go on now.

Those 'complex seasons' are the problem...

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

You could try Celestia. I remember having a lot of fun using that program. Not sure how accurate some of it is, my Last astronomy course was several years ago and I haven't really kept up and only found the program a year or so ago.

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

Whoot!

Cyrien, you are currently my hero. Between the info I got from Henk, the new toy I have in Celestia, and the new patch on Diablo II: LoD I will be happy for days.

This Celestia thing rocks!

Everyone here needs to check it out. You hear me?

Yes, you right now, check it out.

Go.

Re: OT Question for Astronomers
 

Main site seems to be down. Get the program here, at the Source forge.

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/c...irror=easynews

You want this. You definately do. Get it now. It will make you happ.