Neptune

Neptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the sun in our solar system. It is a gas giant, similar to Uranus, and is often referred to as an "ice giant" due to its composition of water, ammonia, and methane ices in its atmosphere.

Physical Characteristics

Neptune has a diameter of about 49,244 kilometers, making it the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third-largest by mass. It has a deep blue color, which is a result of the presence of methane in its atmosphere. Neptune has a system of faint rings and 14 known moons, the largest of which is Triton.

Orbit and Rotation

Neptune orbits the sun at an average distance of 4.5 billion kilometers and takes about 165 Earth years to complete one orbit. It has a rapid rotation, completing a full rotation on its axis in about 16 hours. Due to its distance from the sun, Neptune receives very little sunlight and experiences extremely cold temperatures.

Study Guide

1. What is Neptune's composition?
2. What gives Neptune its deep blue color?
3. How does Neptune's size compare to other planets in the solar system?
4. How long does it take Neptune to orbit the sun?
5. What is the name of Neptune's largest moon?

Once you have studied the above information, test your knowledge by answering the study guide questions. This will help reinforce your understanding of the topic.

[Neptune] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Our Solar system and beyondScience • Fourth Grade