whether there are life and oceans in the Triton?

Triton, Neptune's largest moon belongs, have been discovered since 1846 by British astronomer William Lassell. However, until now the Triton is still a mystery. One thing that scientists question, is there any oceans and life on Triton?

That question makes sense, at least to see some of the instructions given space vehicle owned by National Aeronautics and Space United States (NASA), Voyager 2, when crossing the Triton 1989.

Voyager 2 revealed that Triton's surface consisted of ice, nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. Because high-density Triton, Triton scientists suspect that the core form the silicate rocks. Beneath the surface of the ice, the oceans is suspected.

There is one characteristic that might make Triton could have ocean beneath its surface. Moon with a diameter of 2700 kilometers it has retrogade orbit, orbit in the opposite direction to the other heavenly bodies orbit.

Triton's orbit affect the amount of ups and downs. Tides can trigger a loss of energy which is then converted into heat. Heat can melt the ice below the surface so that it becomes an ocean.

Scientists, such as Space.com reported on Thursday (09/06/2012), also revealed that the heat released had another consequence, which changes the shape of the elliptical orbit into a perfect circle.

Hot on the Triton are not only generated by tides, but could also come from heating radiogenik. The heat comes from the decay of radioisotopes in the Triton itself. This process can produce heat for billions of years.

At first glance, the impression that the heat of radiogenik more involved in the formation of the sea on the surface. However, scientists proved that heating through this process alone will not sustain the seas up to 4.5 billion years old.

Triton was formed in the region around the planet Neptune called the Kuiper Belt. At one time, the Triton was captured by Neptune's gravity and into the moon planet. Over time, more and more resembles a circular orbit of Triton.

In a recent study, astronomers investigate the influence of the thickness of the ice on the tides and heating. Jika thin ice, then the effects of tidal ocean masih large that it might exist. If Triton colder, and the ice thickness, the effect will be the opposite.

Based on the study, Saswata Hier-Majumder of the University of Maryland said, "I think the most likely ammonia-rich oceans exist beneath the surface of Triton. However, there are several limitations of our knowledge of the interior of Triton and its past that it is difficult to tell."

If the ocean does exist, then the simple life that can survive in extreme environments may also exist. Still living beings there may be enzymes that work in the ocean that predicted temperature -97 degrees Celsius.

Another suggestion, that there might be life-based silicon. Silicon is known to be the basis of life as well as carbon. However, everything is still uncertain. This research was published in the journal Icarus published in August 2012.