Neptune

Neptune is a planet in the solar system and is the 8th closest planet to the Sun, which actually makes the planet the furthest planet from the sun. The distance from the sun to Neptune is over 2,795 million miles.

Neptune is one of the four planets in the solar system that is a gas planet. These gas planets are called ‘Jovian Planets’ Neptune is made up of layers and layers of gas, and has many rings and moons that orbit around the planet. Neptune is the 4th largest planet in the solar system.

The average temperature on Neptune is around -392 degrees, which makes the planet the coldest planet in the solar system. Neptune was discovered in 1846, and can only be seen through a telescope.

Neptune’s upper atmosphere is made of the gas methane which gives the planet a bright blue color. It takes Neptune 165 Earth years to orbit the sun.

1 day on Neptune lasts for about 16 hours, compared to Earths 24 hours.

Kids Fun Facts Corner

# 1. Only one probe from Earth has ever been sent to Neptune.

# 2. Neptune has the strongest winds of any planet in the solar system.

# 3. Neptune 13 Moons in total.

# 4. Neptune has 6 Rings.

# 5. Nearly 60 Earth’s could fit into Neptune.

Q&A Corner

Q. What is the distance from the sun to Neptune?

Q. What is the average temperature on Neptune?

Q. How many years does it take for Neptune to orbit the sun?

Download questions about Neptune here: Neptune (answers are on this page)

For further reading and more information on Neptune visit http://www.planetsforkids.org