OT Question for Astronomers

[Loser]

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/planets/neptune/triton.html
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/triton.html
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~sheppard/satellites/nepsatdata.html


Links with answers.... please?

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

[geoschmo]

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

[oleg]

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 !

[Loser]

Originally posted by oleg:
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 ! <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Active eruptions can only be found on Earth, Venus, Io, and Triton, so far. Originally posted by geoschmo:
Planning a trip are we? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif <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 ]

[henk brouwer]

Originally posted by Loser:
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. <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:


Major summer—Triton's seasonal cycle is extremely complex due to the peculiarities of its orbital geometry. Its seasons are modulated by the period of its motion around Neptune (14 days), the precession of its orbit (688 years), and Neptune's rotation around the Sun (165 years). The net result is that Triton experiences a series of major and minor seasons as the amplitude of its seasonal cycle is driven by these various modulations. <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 ]

[oleg]

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 ?

[Loser]

Thanks, Henk. That one does a lot to answer my question. This (http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ssb/neptch2.html) 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...

[Cyrien]

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.

[Loser]

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.

[Loser]

Main site seems to be down. Get the program here (http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/celestia/celestia-win32-1.3.0.exe?use_mirror=easynews), at the Source forge.

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/celestia/celestia-win32-1.3.0.exe?use_mirror=easynews

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

[BadAxe]

That is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Celestia will provide me and my family and friends years of enjoyment.


Many many thanks, Cyrien and Loser. I am indeed happy.

Edit: Wish I could type.

[ October 30, 2003, 20:19: Message edited by: BadAxe ]

[Karibu]

I long to see Europa. Those Icy oceans... skies filled with carbon and sulphur... I miss there... *snif* http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif