Neptune
Passing Uranus, Voyager 2 traveled to Neptune, another large, gaseous planet. Discovered in 1846, Neptune is usually the eighth planet from the Sun. However, Pluto's orbit crosses inside Neptune's during part of its voyage around the Sun. Between 1979 an 1999, Pluto was closer to the Sun than was Neptune. Early in 1999, Pluto once again became the farthest planet from the Sun.
Neptune's Characteristics
Neptune's atmosphere is similar to Uranus's atmosphere. The methane content gives Neptune its distinctive bluish-green color, just as it does for Uranus.
Neptune has dark-colored storms in its atmosphere that are similar to the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. One discovered by Voyager 2 in 1989 was called the Great Dark Spot. It was about the size of Earth. However, observations by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1994 showed that the Great Dark Spot had disappeared. Bright clouds also form, then disappear in several hours. This shows that Neptune's atmosphere is active and changes rapidly.
Under its atmosphere, Neptune is thought to have a layer of liquid water, methane, and amoonia that might change to solid ice. Neptune probable has a rocky core.
Voyager 2 detected six new moons, so the total number of Neptune's known moons is now eight. Triton is the largest. It has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of nitrogen.
Neptune's Characteristics
Neptune's atmosphere is similar to Uranus's atmosphere. The methane content gives Neptune its distinctive bluish-green color, just as it does for Uranus.
Neptune has dark-colored storms in its atmosphere that are similar to the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. One discovered by Voyager 2 in 1989 was called the Great Dark Spot. It was about the size of Earth. However, observations by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1994 showed that the Great Dark Spot had disappeared. Bright clouds also form, then disappear in several hours. This shows that Neptune's atmosphere is active and changes rapidly.
Under its atmosphere, Neptune is thought to have a layer of liquid water, methane, and amoonia that might change to solid ice. Neptune probable has a rocky core.
Voyager 2 detected six new moons, so the total number of Neptune's known moons is now eight. Triton is the largest. It has a thin atmosphere composed mostly of nitrogen.