|
Neptune is named after the Roman god of the sea and its main moon, Triton, is named after the three-pronged spear the god carried.
Neptune is often seen as Uranus’ twin planet; they are more or less the same size, both blue in colour and formed by similar gases.
The fastest winds in the Solar System were recorded on Neptune at 2,000km/h (1,240miles/h). At points during its orbit, Neptune passes Pluto and becomes the furthest planet from the Sun.
We haven’t seen it pass through a complete orbit since it was discovered in 1846, because it takes 165 years!
Average distance from the Sun: 4,504,000,000 km (2,800,000,000 miles)
Length of year: 165 Earth years
Diameter: 49,528km (30,775 miles)
Average temperature: -364°F (-220°C)
|