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Most of the time Neptune is the eighth planet from our Sun. Sometimes Pluto's odd orbit brings it closer to the Sun. For the next 230 years or so, all you have to remember is that Neptune is the eighth planet. It takes a long time for these distant planets to travel around the sun.
Neptune is the fourth largest planet in our solar system. About 60 Earths could fit inside. Neptune is named for the Roman god of the sea.
WHAT'S IT LIKE ON NEPTUNE?
Windy. Neptune may be the windiest planet in the solar system. Winds tear through the clouds at more than 1,200 mph (2,000 kph). The winds blew Neptune's Great Dark Spot-- a storm as big as Earth-- across the planet at 700 mph (1,100 kph). That spot has since disappeared. A new one appeared on a different part of planet.
Neptune gets its blue color from a layer of methane gas above the clouds. Methane absorbs red light so only blue colors show up when we look at Neptune.
Scientists think there might be an ocean of super hot water under Neptune's cold clouds. It does not boil away because of the incredible pressure. That pressure makes it impossible for a spacecraft -- or person -- to drop deep into the clouds.
Neptune has six rings and 13 known moons. Neptune's largest moon, Triton, gets colder than Pluto. Voyager 2 spotted geysers of nitrogen gas on Triton.
 | NEPTUNE CHALLENGE
Neptune is one of four 'gas giants' in our solar system. What are the names of the other gas planets? How are they similar to Neptune? How are they different? |
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Missions to Neptune
Featured Mission: Voyager 2
Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to visit Neptune. The spacecraft found six of Neptune's moons.
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