
P-34717 Range: 80,000 kilometers (50,000 miles) This image taken by Voyager 2 of Neptune's largest satellite, Triton, shows an area in the northern hemisphere. The Sun is just above the horizon, so features cast shadows that accentuate height differences. The large, smooth area in the right-hand side of the image shows a single, fresh, impact crater. Otherwise there is no evidence of impacts such as those that have pocked the faces of most of the satellites Voyager 2 has visited. Many low cliffs in the area, bright where they face the Sun, and dark when they face away from it, suggest an intricate history for Triton. The cliffs might be due either to melting of surface materials or, possibly, caused by unusual fluid materials that flowed sometime in Triton's past.
Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to use. Credit NASA as the source. Check NASA's media usage guidelines for details. Images featuring identifiable individuals may require additional permissions.
NASA ID
ARC-1989-A89-7051
Date Created
August 27, 1989
Center
ARC
Media Type
image
Photographer
JPL
Download this image in multiple resolutions. All NASA media are free for public use.
Large
1920px