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Neptune
Neptune as seen from Voyager 2.
Neptune as seen from Voyager 2.
Diameter 49,528 km
30,775 mi.
Distance from the Sun 4.497 billion km
2.794 billion mi.
Astronomical Unit 30.1
Mass 1.0243×10^26 kg

17.147 Earths

Density 1.638 g/cm^3
Number of moons 14
Length of day 18 hours
Length of year 164 years
Atmosphere Components Hydrogen
Helium
Methane
Symbol Neptune symbol

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun, and it is the outermost major planet in our solar system. Neptune is slightly smaller but more massive (dense) than Uranus.[1][2][3][4]

Neptune is nicknamed the "Ocean Planet" because of its blue color, and no actual liquid water exists as there is on Earth. It is a gas and "ice" giant with a surface covered by crushingly dense clouds of hydrogen and helium. The outer layers are very cold: the temperature at Earth pressures are as low as -200°C (-328 °F). Near the core a water-methane mix exists at thousands of times Earth pressure, and a temperature of over 1000°C (1800°F). The winds in the atmosphere of Neptune can reach up to 1000 miles per hour (1600 kph).

One interesting speculation is that it may "rain diamonds" on Neptune, as methane breaks down into carbon and hydrogen under the heat and pressure near the core.[5]

Roman God of Sea[]

Neptune was the Roman god of water, and a god of fertility, who was later identified with the Greek god Poseidon.

What does Neptune made of?[]

Neptune's Great Dark Spot

Close up view of the Great Dark Spot.

Neptune's Bright Streak

A cloud streak on Neptune.

Neptune consists primarily of 80% hydrogen and 19% helium. In smaller amounts, it also consists of water, methane, ammonia, and other compounds that can form ice in our solar system's temperatures.

Neptune is classified as an ice giant planet, mainly made of the ice-forming molecules water, ammonia, and methane as a liquid mixture above what is thought to be a rocky core. Its atmosphere is mainly hydrogen and helium, along with methane gas that gives the planet a blue-green color.

Moons of Neptune[]

Neptune and Triton

Neptune and Triton

Neptune has 14 moons.

  1. Naiad
  2. Thalassa
  3. Despina
  4. Galatea
  5. Larissa
  6. Hippocamp
  7. Proteus
  8. Triton
  9. Nereid
  10. Halimede
  11. Sao
  12. Laomedeia
  13. Psmathe
  14. Neso

References[]

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