Webb Telescope Finds Evidence of Ancient Catastrophe for Neptune's Moons

New observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope reveal magnesium-rich clay minerals on three of Neptune's small inner moons (Proteus, Larissa, and Galatea) and its inner dusty rings. These minerals, which require prolonged contact between liquid water and rock to form, suggest they originated from the deep interior of a much larger ancient world. Researchers propose that a catastrophic event billions of years ago, likely the capture of Triton, destroyed these ancient worlds, with the current moons and rings re-forming from the wreckage.