If one were to observe Neptune a quarter of a billion years in the future, what significant change would be seen?
A) The planet would have shrunk considerably as gravity continues to compress it.
B) Triton would be gone and the ring system would be considerably enhanced.
C) Triton's retrograde orbit would have become prograde.
D) The rings will have disappeared.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Triton, Neptune's largest moon, is currently in a retrograde orbit, which means it orbits Neptune in the opposite direction of the planet's rotation. This unusual orbit causes tidal interactions between Triton and Neptune, which are gradually causing Triton's orbit to decay. Over a long enough timespan, such as a quarter of a billion years, it is expected that Triton will either crash into Neptune or be torn apart by Neptune's gravity and form a new, more prominent ring system around the planet.

If One Were to Observe Neptune a Quarter of a Billion