Neptune_Notes

Neptune's Atmosphere Composition

84% Hydrogen, 14% Helium, and 2% Methane.

Great Dark Spot

A large dark feature on Neptune that can disappear and reappear in a different location.

Internal Heat

Heat escaping from a planet, possibly contributing to Neptune's warmer atmosphere compared to Uranus.

Triton

Neptune's largest moon, known as the cantaloupe moon, with a retrograde orbit and geysers of liquid nitrogen.

Retrograde Motion

The backward motion of winds on Neptune's equator, traveling at 200 km/h.

Neptune's Rings

Neptune has four dark rings, three narrow rings, and one broad/diffuse ring with areas of clumping.

Voyager 2

The spacecraft that provided significant information about Neptune's atmosphere and features.

Magnetic Field Comparison

Neptune's magnetic field is stronger than Earth's but weaker than Jupiter's.

Methane's Role in Color

Methane in Neptune's atmosphere gives the planet its blue color.

Clumping in Rings

Clumping in Neptune's rings may be attributed to shepherd satellites.

Neptune's Energetics

Neptune gives off 2.7 times more energy than it receives, theorized to be due to methane insulation.

Surface Temperature of Triton

Triton has a surface temperature of approximately 37 K.

Nitrogen Frost Layer

The icy surface layer found on Triton, characterized by a pink area and few craters.

Captured Kuiper Belt Object

Triton is believed to be a captured object from the Kuiper Belt, slightly larger than Pluto.

Density and Core

Neptune has a higher density than Saturn and Jupiter, suggesting a rocky core 10 times the size of Earth.