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In the outer
reaches of the solar system is Neptune, a bitterly cold and dark world.
Neptune is 4.3 billion kilometres from Earth, which is so far away that
it would take over 200 years to get there at the speed of the Concorde.
Astronomers knew almost nothing about Neptune until the Voyager 2 space
probe paid it a visit in 1989. When Voyager beamed its pictures to Earth
the astronomers were amazed. Despite its tranquil appearance Neptune has
the most violent weather in the solar system with storms the size of
Earth and freezing winds ten times faster than a hurricane. Neptune is
named after the Roman god of the Sea, because of its blue colour.
Neptune has 13 moons. It also has rings but they are different than
Saturn's rings. Saturn's rings are made of ice and they reflect
lots of light. Neptune's rings are darker because they are made of rocks
and dust. |
