Proteus is one of the larger moons of Neptune and is the second-largest known moon of the planet, after Triton.

Size and Shape: Proteus has a mean radius of approximately 210 kilometers (130 miles), making it one of the largest irregularly shaped moons in our solar system. It has a highly irregular shape, with a heavily cratered surface.

Discovery: Proteus was discovered by the Voyager 2 spacecraft during its flyby of Neptune in 1989. It was the last of Neptune's inner moons to be discovered.

Orbit: Proteus orbits Neptune in a nearly circular and prograde (forward) orbit, meaning it orbits in the same direction as Neptune's rotation. It is located closer to Neptune than Triton, but still relatively far compared to the smaller moons of the planet.

Surface Features: Proteus has a heavily cratered surface, indicating a lack of significant geological activity. It is thought to be a captured object that originated in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune that is populated by small icy bodies.

Origin of Name: Proteus is named after the Greek sea god Proteus, known for his ability to change shape. The name was chosen to follow the nautical theme of Neptune's moons, which are named after sea gods and nymphs from Greek mythology.

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