Neptune
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| Neptune | |
|---|---|
 Photo of Neptune taken by Voyager 2 in 1989 | |
| Symbol | 
|
| Date of discovery | 1846 |
| Name of discoverer | Johann Gotfried Galle |
| Name origin | Roman god |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Order from primary | 8 |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | 1.024x1026 kg |
| Number of moons | 13 |
| Composition | Rock and ice |
| Color | Blue |
| Albedo | 0.41 |
Neptune is the eighth planet in the Solar System. It is named after the ancient Roman god of the sea. It was discovered in 1846 on the basis of calculations made by Urbain Le Verrier. Neptune, like the other gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, has rings made of ice and rock. Neptune is bluish in color and has 13 known moons, the largest of which are, in order, Triton, Proteus, and Nereid. [1]
Neptune was visited by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in August 1989.
Notes & References
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