In astronomy, an inner moon is a natural satellite following a prograde, low-inclination orbit inwards of the large satellites of the parent planet. They are generally thought to have been formed in situ at the same time as the coalescence of the original planet. Neptune's moons are an exception, as they are likely reaggregates of the pieces of the original bodies, which were disrupted after the capture of the large moon Triton. Inner satellites are distinguished from other regular satellites by their proximity to the parent planet, their short orbital periods (usually under a day), their low mass, small size, and irregular shapes.
Read more about Inner Moon: Discovery, Orbits, Exploration
Famous quotes containing the word moon:
“in the pleasure of that communion
I lose track,
the moon I watch goes down, the
tide swings you away before
I know Im
alone again long since,”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)