Far blue world
Neptune is so far from the Sun that one year there lasts almost 165 Earth years. Sunlight there is much weaker than on Earth.
Back to mission map
Planet lesson
Neptune
Ice giant
Neptune is a distant blue ice giant with powerful winds and cold clouds.
Kid fact
Neptune has some of the fastest winds in the solar system.
Neptune Shadows
Day
16.1 hours
Year
164.8 Earth years
Moons
16
Temperature
-200 C cloud tops
Fast winds
Neptune has some of the fastest winds measured in the solar system, even though it receives little energy from the Sun.
Ice giant layers
Like Uranus, Neptune contains hydrogen, helium, and deeper icy materials such as water, methane, and ammonia.
Triton
Neptune's largest moon, Triton, orbits in the opposite direction from Neptune's spin. That hints it may have been captured long ago.
Look closely
Search for bright clouds, dark storm spots, and Neptune's deep blue color. Imagine winds racing around the planet.
Watch and learn