the+big+blue+dot+p.7

= //Neptune // =

//**The planet Neptune is known for it's size and big blue dot in the middle of it, but today you'll know much more than you did. Explore the wondrous world of Neptune, the Gas Giant. Neptune just isn't a big blue planet, it is a exciting ball of indigo **//.

//**You may be wondering how Neptune is really blue, well it is because all of the methane gas surrounding the entire planet. Thats why you see it as a big ball of blue when you look at it. It also has a huge strom similar to Jupiter's which is known as the Great Dark Spot which is invisible to the naked eye. The planet Neptune is one of the biggest planets in diameter which is close to 31,000 miles in diameter. **//

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 * // The planet of Neptune has plenty of moons, normally around 13. The largest one is Triton. Triton is 1,678 in diameter. It is one of the biggest moons in the solar system. The table below will show you all of the moons of Neptune.  http://www.nasa.gov/ //**
 * = Name ||= Discovered By ||= Diameter ||= Distance in Miles From Neptune ||= Earth Day Length of Orbit ||
 * = Thalassa ||= Voyager 2, 1989 ||= 50 Miles ||= 31,100 ||= .31 ||
 * = Despina ||= Voyager 2, 1989 ||= 93 Miles ||= 32,600 ||= .33 ||
 * = Galatea ||= Voyager 2, 1989 ||= 99 Miles ||= 38,500 ||= .43 ||
 * = Larissa ||= Voyager 2, 1989 ||= 118 Miles ||= 45,700 ||= .55 ||
 * = Protus ||= Voyager 2, 1989 ||= 261 Miles ||= 13,000 ||= 1.12 ||
 * = Triton ||= Lassell, 1846 ||= 1,678 Miles ||= 220,500 ||= 5.88 ||
 * = Nereid ||= Kuper, 1949 ||= 211 Miles ||= 3,426,000 ||= 365.21 ||
 * = Naiad ||= Voyager 2, 1989 ||= 37 Miles ||= 29,800 ||= .30 ||

=Climate: =

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//**The average temperature for Neptune is -373 F. This is the coldest planet in our solar system. Neptune isn't just a huge planet, but it has the strongest winds in the solar system at 1,250 mph. The famous Great Dark Spot disappeared from sight in 1991, but it came back in the northern hemisphere. The planet also has other storms in its quickly changing atmosphere, storms are constantly coming and going. Most winds on the surface of Neptune move in the opposite direction of the planet's rotation. **// ======

=Atmosphere: = //Neptune's atmosphere is made up of methane, hydrogen, and helium. There are also other small elements that are in the gigantic planet's atmosphere. Hydrogen and helium also make up the planet's composition. Unlike most gas planets Neptune has a large amount of ice. The color of neptune is surprisingly much brighter than that of Uranus. // =Interesting Facts : = > Neptune named after the Roman god of water. > > Neptune was discovered on September 23,1646. > > Discovered by Urbain Le Verrier, John Couch Adams, Johann Galle. > > First Planet to be discovered by mathematical prediction rather than empirical observation. > > Neptune used to be the farthest out planet until Pluto came along. The planet Neptune is also sometimes the farthest >planet out still. This happens becuase of it's cross orbit with the subplanet Pluto. >Temperatures at the planets center is approximentely 5,400K.