Page 185 - DK Children's Encyclopedia
P. 185
Neptune SEE ALSO
▸ ▸ Atmosphere p.33
▸ ▸ Gases p.117
Neptune lies in the freezing cold, dark outer parts of the ▸ ▸ Liquids p.148
solar system. It is the eighth planet and the farthest planet ▸ ▸ Pluto p.196
from the sun. Neptune is often called the “twin planet” of ▸ ▸ Solar system
Uranus because it is made up of similar ices and gases. It is p.233
four times larger than Earth. ▸ ▸ Uranus p.264
Wispy clouds made The windy planet
of frozen methane
gas are found high Neptune is known as “the windy planet”
in Neptune’s because it has powerful winds in the
atmosphere. outer layers of its atmosphere. Winds
can reach speeds of more than
1,500 mph (2,400 kph), about
twice the speed of sound.
Neptune gets its blue
color from methane gas in
the upper atmosphere.
Scientists think
that Neptune’s largest
moon Triton is an icy
minor planet
that got caught by
Neptune’s gravity.
Hydrogen and
helium gases
make up most
of Neptune’s
atmosphere.
The sun
God of the sea Beyond Neptune
Neptune was named after the There are thought to
Roman god of the sea, who is be several thousand icy
usually pictured carrying a “minor planets” that
three-pronged spear called a orbit the sun beyond
trident. The planets Mercury,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune. The first,
Saturn are also named after and largest, minor
Roman gods. planet that was
discovered is Pluto.
183
US_183_Neptune.indd 183 16/05/2017 10:52

