Neptune — wonderful world. This is largely because people almost know nothing about him. Why? Well, because Neptune is the most distant planet from the Sun, or because there were not so many missions that ventured so far in our Solar system. Anyway, let’s start with the fact that Neptune is primarily from the gas giant and ice.
- Neptune —the farthest planet
It would seem that this such, but the reality is a bit more complicated. When it was first discovered in 1846, Neptune became the most distant planet of the Solar system. But in 1930, they found Pluto, and Neptune became the second farthest planet. However, Pluto’s orbit is very elongated, and there are times when Pluto is closer to the Sun than Neptune. The last time it was in 1979 and lasted until 1999. During this time again the Neptune was the most distant planet.
Then, at the XXVI-th General Assembly of the International astronomical Union which was held from 14 to 25 August 2006 in Prague, again discussed the question of what a planet is more distant. Faced with opening a set of objects the size of Pluto in the Kuiper belt — of Eris, Haumea, Sedna and Makemake — and with the presence of Ceres, the IAU has decided that it is time to clarify the definition of a planet.
Now this decision is considered controversial, but then the IAU adopted a resolution that defined a planet as “a celestial body orbiting a star that has sufficient mass to be rounded by its own gravity but does not clear the area of nearby planetesimals and is not a satellite. Also it must have sufficient mass to overcome the compressive strength and achieve hydrostatic equilibrium”.
As a result, Pluto was “demoted” from planet status, and then received the dubious title of “dwarf planet”. So, again, the Neptune became the most distant planet. At least at the current moment.
- Neptune is the smallest of the gas giants
With an Equatorial radius of 24 764 km, Neptune is smaller than all other gas giants in the Solar system: Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. But here’s what funny: Neptune is more massive than Uranus by 18%. And because it is smaller, but more massive, Neptune has a much higher density than Uranium. Neptune is the most dense gas giant in the Solar system.
- Surface gravity is almost earth Neptune
Neptune is a ball of gas and ice, probably with a stone core. There is no way to survive on the surface of Neptune, you get sucked in. But if you did, you would have noted something curious. The force of gravity would attract you with almost the same force as on Earth.
The gravity of Neptune is only 17% stronger than earth’s. This is the closest example of a nearly earth’s gravity (1 g) in the Solar system. Neptune is 17 times heavier than Earth, but 4 times more. Its large mass is distributed over a larger area and closer to the surface gravity is almost identical to the earth. But you still suck.
- The discovery of Neptune still causes issues
The first person to see Neptune was Galileo. He noted it as a star in his papers. But since it isn’t considered a planet, it is open and not credited. This merit went to French mathematician Urbain the Verrier and the English mathematician John Couch Adams, who predicted that a new planet — a planet X — should be detected in a certain area of the sky.
When astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle actually found the planet in 1846, two mathematicians wrote down the opening of your account. And long afterwards fought, finding out who first made the discovery, and is still not decided (for them). Astronomers decided to evenly divide the merits of discoverers between Verrier and Adams.
- The strongest winds in the Solar system —on Neptune
I think a hurricane is scary? Imagine a hurricane with winds that are accelerated up to 2100 km/h. As you can probably imagine, scientists are perplexed, how on the cold icy planet like Neptune clouds can move so quickly. Suggest that cold temperatures and the flow of the liquid gases in the planet’s atmosphere may reduce friction so that the winds are gaining significant speed.
- Neptune is the coldest planet in the Solar system
In the upper layers of clouds, temperatures on Neptune can drop to -221,45 degrees Celsius. This is more than twice below the freezing point of water, and an unprotected person will become a piece of ice in the blink of an eye. On Pluto, of course, colder (temperature drops to -240 degrees Celsius). But Pluto not a planet anymore, remember?
- Neptune have rings
When people think of ring systems, in the imagination helpfully POPs up most often Saturn. You might be surprised, but Neptune also has a ring system. True, and it should not compare with a bright and wide rings of Saturn. Neptune has five rings, each named after the astronomers who made important discoveries about Neptune: Galle, Verrier, Lassell, Arago and Adams.
These rings by at least 20% consists of dust (in some of its content reaches 70%) micron size, like the particles constituting the rings of Jupiter. The remaining materials of the ring are represented by small pebbles. The rings of the planet are difficult to identify because they are dark (probably due to the presence of organic components that have changed under the influence of cosmic radiation. They are similar to the rings of Uranus, but very different from ice rings around Saturn.
It is believed that the rings of Neptune are relatively young — much younger than the Solar system and much younger than the rings of Uranus. In the framework of the theory that Triton was an object in the Kuiper belt that was captured by Neptune’s gravity, it is believed that they (rings) are the result of the initial collision of the moons of the planet.
- Neptune probably captured its big moon Triton
The largest moon of Neptune Triton moves around Neptune in a retrograde orbit. This means that its orbit is around the planet backwards compared to the other moons of Neptune. This is considered to be the sign that Neptune, apparently, has grasped Triton — the moon was formed in place as the other moons of Neptune. Triton is locked in synchronous rotation with Neptune and moves slowly in a spiral toward the planet.
At some point, after billions of years, Triton will probably be torn apart by gravitational forces of Neptune and will be a perfect ring around the planet. This ring will be pulled and dropped on a planet. It is a pity that it does not happen soon, because the sight will be beautiful.
- Neptune was seen once near
Only spacecraft which ever visited Neptune was “Voyager-2” NASA, who visited the planet during its Grand tour of the Solar system. “Voyager-2” flew past Neptune on 25 August 1989, after less than 3000 miles from the North pole of the planet. It was the nearest approach to the object, which is implemented by “Voyager-2” since the launch from Earth.
During his flight of “Voyager-2” has studied the atmosphere of Neptune, its rings, magnetosphere and met with Newt. “Voyager-2” also looked at the “Big dark spot” of Neptune, rotating storm system that has disappeared, according to observations of the Hubble space telescope. Initially it was thought that this big cloud, but the information gathered by Voyager, has shed light on the true nature of this phenomenon.
- There are no plans to re-visit the Neptune
Lovely photos of Neptune taken by “Voyager-2”, will long remain the only thing we have, because nobody plans to fly to Neptune. However, NASA considered a possible Flagship mission, which was to take place in late 2020s – early 2030s.
Another NASA proposal was “Argo” — a spacecraft that is planned to start in 2019, to visit Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and object in the Kuiper belt. Spotlight on “Argo” was supposed to be Neptune and its moon Triton, the study of which the unit had to deal with somewhere in 2029. But while it was not necessary.
Summing up and remembering all of the above, was surprised to note that Neptune may be one of the most interesting planets (by number of awards), except, of course, Earth. Perhaps future missions that will be sent to the outer limits of the Solar system, will show more interesting.