NEPTUNE is the eighth planet from the sun and is invisible to the naked eye.
But how many moons does Neptune have? Here’s all you need to know…
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How many moons does Neptune have?
Scientists have so far discovered 14 moons orbiting Neptune.
Since Neptune was named for the Roman god of the sea, its moons were named for various lesser sea gods and nymphs in Greek mythology.
Triton is by far Neptune’s largest moon.
It is six times the size of its closest sibling satellite – and was discovered just six days after the planet itself was discovered.
Neptune’s outermost moon, Neso, takes 26 years to orbit the planet.
In the Solar System, it is the fourth-largest planet by diameter, the third-most-massive planet, and the densest giant planet.
It is more than 17 times the mass of Earth.
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What is Neptune made of?
Neptune is one of two ice giants in the outer solar system.
More than 80 per cent of the planet’s mass is made up of a hot dense fluid of “icy” materials.
These are water, methane, and ammonia surrounding a small, rocky core.
However the planet’s water is not drinkable because of its chemical reaction with the rock.
Other Neptune planet facts
Gravity
Neptune’s surface gravity is almost Earth-like.
However because it is just a ball of gas and ice no humans could stand on it because you would sink.
But if it did have solid ground the force of gravity pulling you down is almost exactly the same as the force of gravity you feel walking here on Earth.
The gravity of Neptune is only 17% stronger than Earth gravity.
Science facts
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Wind
Neptune also has the strongest winds in the solar system.
Winds can reach as fast as 2,100 miles per hour.
Temperature
In our solar system Neptune is also the coldest planet.
At the top of its clouds, temperatures on Neptune can dip down to -221.45 degrees Celsius.
This is almost three times the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth – -89.2C.
If an unprotected human landed on the planet they would flash freeze in under a second.
Nasa animation reveals Neptune and its moon Triton
