Neptune

Neptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun in the Solar System. It is a gas giant with a blue atmosphere and is known for its turbulent weather patterns, including the Great Dark Spot and the Scooter, which are massive storms in its atmosphere.

Physical Characteristics

• Equatorial Diameter: 49,244 kilometers
• Mass: 17.15 times that of Earth
• Atmosphere: Composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of methane which gives it its blue color
• Orbit: It takes about 165 Earth years to orbit the Sun
• Moons: Neptune has 14 known moons, the largest of which is Triton

Discovery and Exploration

Neptune was discovered in 1846 by Urbain Le Verrier and Johann Galle through mathematical predictions rather than direct observation. The first and only spacecraft to visit Neptune was NASA's Voyager 2 in 1989. It provided close-up images of the planet and its moons, as well as valuable data about its atmosphere and magnetic field.

Study Guide

When studying Neptune, it's important to focus on the following key areas:

1. Physical characteristics of Neptune, including its size, mass, atmosphere, and orbit.
2. Neptune's moons and their features, with a special emphasis on Triton.
3. The discovery of Neptune and the historical context of its exploration.
4. Comparative analysis of Neptune with other gas giants in the Solar System, such as Jupiter and Saturn.
5. The latest research and discoveries related to Neptune, including ongoing missions or proposed future missions to study the planet.

By understanding these aspects of Neptune, you can gain a comprehensive knowledge of this fascinating planet and its place in the Solar System.

[Neptune] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Our Solar system and beyondScience • Fourth Grade