Which property of a moon might lead you to believe it was a captured asteroid?
A) It is tidally locked.
B) Its orbital axis is tilted by 5 degrees compared to the planet's rotational axis.
C) It orbits in the opposite direction than its planet rotates.
D) Its surface is very smooth and lacks craters.
E) It is roughly the size of Earth's moon.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A moon that orbits in the opposite direction of its planet's rotation (retrograde orbit) is a strong indicator that it may have been captured, as this is not the typical formation process for moons that form from the same material as their planet.

Which Property of a Moon Might Lead You to Believe