| Neptune | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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 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?[]
Close up view of the Great Dark Spot.
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 has 14 moons.
- Naiad
- Thalassa
- Despina
- Galatea
- Larissa
- Hippocamp
- Proteus
- Triton
- Nereid
- Halimede
- Sao
- Laomedeia
- Psmathe
- Neso