The Solar System

Neptune: Poseidon, God of the sea

Basic Facts Size of the planet Mean Radius is 15,299 miles which is approximately 3.86 times Earth’s mean radius. The density of Neptune is just under 1/3 the density of Earth. Distance from the Sun 2.8 billion miles from the sun.

Inside of Neptune Neptune actually has a hard surface in it’s Mantle. The mantle is about the size of Earth. Inside of that core…melted ice and slushy water. The color of the atmosphere is actually blue because of the methane in the air.

Orbit Revolution 165 Earth years. We would not even live to the age of 1 on the planet Neptune. Rotation Every 16 hours, Neptune will complete one full rotation.

Which is further, Neptune or Pluto? Before Pluto was no longer considered a planet, we used to think of Pluto as being the furthest planet from the sun in our solar system. However, for 20 years, this is not the case. Pluto would actually orbit inside of Neptune’s orbit for 20 years out of every 234 years making Neptune officially the furthest planet from the sun during those years.

Neptune’s Winds Neptune has clouds. It has an atmosphere that is incredible with the fastest winds in our solar system. How fast do the winds go on Neptune? 1,500 miles per hour.

Temperatures Known Temperatures on Neptune are -424 degrees Fahrenheit. Neptune also has a great dark spot much like Jupiter, but no where near as big. These storms are caused by the high internal heat of the planet, and the extreme coldness on the surface.

Neptune’s Moons Currently, Neptune has 13 known moons. The most important moon to remember is: Triton

A very strange moon indeed A very strange moon indeed. This moon actually orbits Neptune opposite all other moons in our solar system. This moon has a smooth surface because of the icy lava flows. Triton

Random Facts Neptune has Earth-Like Gravity, meaning you would weigh about the same on Neptune as you would on Earth. Neptune actually captured Triton because of its backward spin. Neptune is the coldest planet in our solar system. Triton is even colder. We have no concrete plans to visit Neptune ever again. “You’re dead to me Neptune.”

Gliese 581d The first planet ever to be discovered inside of the Goldilock Zone is Gliese 581d. The problem…it is 20 light years away. This is the first planet discovered that would sustain liquid water, and warm temperatures much like our own. The problem, we can’t get there.