Neptune - The Windy Planet

Neptune is the 8th and last planet in the solar system, an ice giant. It is 3rd by mass and 4th by diameter. It was discovered through mathematical calculations rather than observations.

Due to its blue hue, it is named after the ancient Roman god of seas and rivers, Neptune. Neptune's color is brighter than neighboring Uranus, indicating the presence of an as yet unknown element in its atmosphere.

Neptune has no solid surface. Its atmosphere gradually transitions into water and other molten ices, which in turn transition into solid ices and rocky materials.

10 Facts About Neptune

  • Neptune is the 8th and last planet in the solar system, belonging to the ice giants.
  • The planet's mass is 17 times greater than Earth's mass, and its equatorial radius is almost 4 times larger.
  • Neptune is the only planet in the solar system that is not visible to the naked eye.
  • Neptune is the first planet discovered through calculations rather than observations.
  • Neptune has 13 permanent satellites and one temporary one, as well as a weak ring system.
  • A year on Neptune lasts approximately 165 Earth years. In 2011, exactly 1 Neptunian year had passed since the planet's discovery.
  • Neptune was visited by only one spacecraft, Voyager-2, back in 1989, 3 years after Uranus.
  • Neptune experiences the strongest winds, reaching speeds of 2,100 km/h.
  • In 2017, a hurricane 9,000 km in diameter, or 0.75 Earth diameters, was discovered on Neptune.
  • Immediately beyond Neptune begins the Kuiper Belt, which includes 4 dwarf planets.
Нептун с камеры Voyager 2 Облака Нептуна, показывающие вертикальную рельефность Вид на Нептун с Voyager 2. Кольца Нептуна Нептун и Тритон Смонтированное изображение Нептуна и Тритона