What is Neptune?

Physical Characteristics of Neptune

• Equatorial Diameter: 49,528 km
• Mass: 1.024 × 10^26 kg
• Surface Temperature: -214°C
• Orbital Period: 164.79 Earth years
• Rotation Period: 16.11 hours
• Number of Moons: 14 confirmed moons

Key Features of Neptune

• Great Dark Spot: A dark, oval-shaped storm in Neptune's southern hemisphere, similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
• Rings: Neptune has faint, narrow rings that are difficult to observe from Earth.
• Atmospheric Composition: The presence of methane in the atmosphere gives Neptune its distinctive blue color.

Interesting Facts about Neptune

• Neptune was the first planet to be discovered through mathematical predictions rather than empirical observation.
• It has the strongest winds in the Solar System, with gusts reaching up to 2,100 km/h.
• Neptune's largest moon, Triton, orbits the planet in a retrograde direction, suggesting that it may have been captured from the Kuiper Belt.

Study Guide

1. Neptune's physical characteristics, including its size, mass, and temperature.
2. The composition of Neptune's atmosphere and the role of methane in its coloration.
3. Neptune's moons and their unique features, such as Triton and its retrograde orbit.
4. Comparisons between Neptune and other gas giants in the Solar System, particularly Uranus.
5. The process of Neptune's discovery and its significance in the field of astronomy.

[Neptune] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Our Solar system and beyondScience • Fourth Grade