Grade 8 Geography : Solar System - Part 10 (Neptune)

Dear Children, we have presented you with a series of articles that are specifically focused on each planet in the solar system. This article is an elucidation of the last of those eight planets; Neptune.

 

This is the most distant planet from the sun and it appears with a beautiful blue hue. This planet is four times larger than the earth and it can be cited as the fourth largest planet among the eight planets of our solar system. Just like Uranus, this planet too is an ice giant and it is extremely cold. The surface temperature of Neptune is approximately -2140C.  However, its surface mainly consists of hydrogen, helium and methane. The presence of methane gives this planet its color; blue.  The surface is also covered with some white clouds and it can be considered as a planet with the windiest atmosphere where freezing winds blow at very high speeds. It has an atmosphere that has quite extreme and violent weather conditions in abundance. Uranus owns 14 natural satellites out of which Triton can be cited as the largest.

 

 

Furthermore, this is said to be a dark, giant planet that possesses six rings made of ice and dust particles. The planet is tilted at 28.320. As a result it also experiences seasons and these seasons exist for a long period as it takes 165 earth years to complete one trip around the sun (revolution). However, its rotation only takes around 16 hours per round.  Thus, it spins around its own axis quite faster.  Neptune is also the gas giant with the smallest size and the highest density among the other outer planets; Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Since this planet does not have a solid surface, it is clear that it does not support life. Neptune has a gravity that is similar to that of the Earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Mekhala Egodawele

 Photo source : Internet