Neptune
Neptune, the farthest known major planet, is a stormy blue giant with supersonic winds. Its deep ocean-blue color is due to methane in the upper atmosphere.
- Distance from Sun: ~4.5 billion km
- Diameter: 49,244 km
- Orbital period: 165 Earth years
- Mean cloud top temperature: -214°C
- Moons: 14 (largest: Triton)
- Key Feature: The fastest winds in the solar system—up to 2,100 km/h (1,300 mph)
Quick Facts
Neptune’s winds create massive storms that can be seen as dark spots. Triton, its largest moon, is geologically active and orbits backward—hinting it was captured from the Kuiper Belt.