Monday 19 December 2016

Geography of Neptune

Formation

One theory for the formation of Neptune is the "core accretion" model. Although this sounds complexed, all it is is the creation of the solar system. The solar system began as a "solar nebula", which was the cloud of dust where the sun formed. Gravity pulled most of the gravity into the sun in the centre of the nebula. The remaining particles where pulled together by gravity, and solar winds blew lighter elements such as hydrogen and helium further away. This would explain why most rock based planets are closer to the sun as the rock particles where heavier than the hydrogen and helium particles which formed gas giant planets such as Neptune.

Characteristics

                      Structure

Neptune's structure is completely different to any rock based planet or moon. Most of its atmosphere is part of its structure. It does not have a crust. Its mantle contains liquids such as water and ammonia, as well as methane ices. Its core is its only solid part, containg rock and ice.

                       


Atmosphere

Neptune's blue colour is because of its composition of gases in its atmosphere such as helium, hydrogen and methane.

  Rings

Although many people think that Saturn is the only planet in the solar system which has rings, this is wrong. Neptune does, in fact, have 5 hard to spot rings, containing mostly dust as well as small rocks. They are all named after famous astronomers.


Photos of rings taken by Voyager.


Life?

Neptune is unlikely to contain or support life. It is firstly, a gas planet meaning there would be no possible place to land or even move about on. Secondly, its atmosphere is not suitable for human life as it contains no oxygen and has poisonous methane gases. Other reasons that Neptune would be unsuitable for life is that it is too far away from Earth, which would make a trip to Neptune take around 20 years It is also far to cold, with an average surface temperature of -218 degrees celsius.








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