Neptune Moons

Neptune has 16 known moons. English merchant and astronomer William Lassell discovered the first and largest moon – Triton – on Oct. 10, 1846, just 17 days after a Berlin observatory discovered Neptune.

We don't know if Lassell had a celebratory beverage after he discovered Triton, but beer helped make the finding possible. Lassell was one of 19th century England's grand amateur astronomers. He used the fortune he made in the brewery business to finance his telescopes.

All but two of Neptune's 16 moons have been named. Since Neptune is named for the Roman god of the sea, its moons are named for various lesser sea gods and nymphs in Greek mythology.

Moons of Neptune

Global color mosaic of Triton, taken in 1989 by Voyager 2 during its flyby of the Neptune system.

Triton

Despina

Galatea

Halimede

Neptune moon, designated S/2004 N 1

Hippocamp

Laomedeia

Two views of Larissa, a dark, irregularly shaped moon of Neptune discovered in 1989 by Voyager 2.

Larissa

Image of Neptune Moon, Nereid.

Nereid

Neptune moon, Proteus taken by Voyager 2

Proteus

Images of Neptune moon Psamathe.

Psamathe

A Voyager 2 image of Thalassa (1989 N5), Naiad (1989 N6) and Despina (1989 N3).

Thalassa

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