Neptune is one of the four large planets in our Solar System known as Gas Giants. It is the eighth planet in order from the Sun, and was seen through a telescope for the first time on the 23rd of September 1846. Keeping to the traditional naming system used for all the previous planets, Neptune was given its name based on the Roman god of the sea, in reference to Greek and Roman mythology.
General Information:
Neptune has a vivid blue colouration to its layer of cloud cover. Higher absorption levels of red light caused by methane in its atmosphere is thought to be the cause of this bright blue tint.
Scientists have found that Neptune and Uranus are more likely to be ice giants rather than gas giants, making them different to Saturn and Jupiter. Due to their younger age, it is thought that they were unable to draw on the vast hydrogen …show more content…
Earth sized storms continuously rage in the Neptune’s atmosphere. Winds on Neptune can reach up to 1,500 kilometers per hour, which is the fastest on any planet. The heat inside the planet causes these violent conditions. Temperatures in Neptune range from around -220ºC on the cloud surface, to a core that measures up to an absurd 7,000ºC. This is even hotter than the Sun’s surface, which is in comparison, only around 5,505ºC.
History:
Neptune was the first time that a planet’s existence was actually predicted before it was even seen through a telescope. This could be done through the use of mathematical calculations. Alexis Bouvard, a French Astronomer at the time, had managed to observe irregularities in Uranus’ orbit, suggesting that this may be due to another celestial body. Johann Galle (a German astronomer), through the use of subsequent calculations, led locating Neptune with a telescope. It is believed that Galileo Galilei had previously sketched the planet, but had mistaken it for a star because of its very slow movement.
General Information:
Neptune has a vivid blue colouration to its layer of cloud cover. Higher absorption levels of red light caused by methane in its atmosphere is thought to be the cause of this bright blue tint.
Scientists have found that Neptune and Uranus are more likely to be ice giants rather than gas giants, making them different to Saturn and Jupiter. Due to their younger age, it is thought that they were unable to draw on the vast hydrogen …show more content…
Earth sized storms continuously rage in the Neptune’s atmosphere. Winds on Neptune can reach up to 1,500 kilometers per hour, which is the fastest on any planet. The heat inside the planet causes these violent conditions. Temperatures in Neptune range from around -220ºC on the cloud surface, to a core that measures up to an absurd 7,000ºC. This is even hotter than the Sun’s surface, which is in comparison, only around 5,505ºC.
History:
Neptune was the first time that a planet’s existence was actually predicted before it was even seen through a telescope. This could be done through the use of mathematical calculations. Alexis Bouvard, a French Astronomer at the time, had managed to observe irregularities in Uranus’ orbit, suggesting that this may be due to another celestial body. Johann Galle (a German astronomer), through the use of subsequent calculations, led locating Neptune with a telescope. It is believed that Galileo Galilei had previously sketched the planet, but had mistaken it for a star because of its very slow movement.