Neptune

Question 1

neptune physical characteristics

• diameter
• avg. dist. from sun
• mass
• orbital pd
• rotational pd
• # of moons
• magnitude
• fun fact

Answer 1

• diameter = 4 x earth
• avg. dist. from sun = 30 AU
• mass = 17 x earth
• orbital pd = 165 yrs
• rotational pd = 16 hrs; differential
• # of moons = 13
• magnitude = 7.8
• fun fact = 1st planet found my mathematics

Question 2

discovery (2)

Answer 2

• uranus didnt follow predicted orbital path

- meant there had to be another lg. body in s.s.

Question 3

atmosphere (3)

Answer 3

• has belts & zones
• whitish, cirrus-like clouds are made of methane ice crystals
• methane absorbs red light, giving it its blue appearance

Question 4

axial tilt & seasons (2)

Answer 4

• rotation axis tilted 30 degrees from plane, causing seasons
• seasonal variations in clouds

Question 5

massive storm system (2)

Answer 5

• great dark spot

- fastest winds in s.s.

Question 6

interior (4)

Answer 6

• rocky core surrounded by layer of water w/ dissolved ammonia & methane
• above water layer = layer of helium & liquid hydrogen
• cloud layer rides atop this layer
• internal heat source

Question 7

magnetic field (5)

Answer 7

• 40% as strong as earth’s
• axis of field = tilted sharply by 47 degrees
• doesnt pass thru center of neptune
• source = ionized molecules dissolved in liquid water layer
  
  • ions churn w/ water & create dynamo effect

Question 8

ring system (3)

Answer 8

• several faint rings
• outermost are named adams
• gravitational effect of moon (galatea) confines arc

Question 9

3 prominent arcs

Answer 9

1. liberty
2. equality
3. fraternity

Question 10

moons (2)

Answer 10

• 12 of 13 moons = irregular in shape & highly elliptical orbits
  
  • characteristics imply they were captured bodies

Question 11

triton size & shape (3)

Answer 11

• largest
• diameter larger than pluto
• spherical; nearly circular

Question 12

triton retrograde orbit

Answer 12

orbits in opposite direction from neptune’s rotation

Question 13

triton atmosphere (3)

Answer 13

• density indicates it is equal mix of rock & ice
• thin nitrogen atmosphere
• coldest world ever visited by a human race

Question 14

triton surface features (4)

Answer 14

• very few craters on surface
• surface has long cracks
• part of surface has wrinkled appearance (skin of cantaloupe)
• few frozen lakes

Question 15

triton’s decaying orbit (4)

Answer 15

• tides triton creates on neptune is making triton spiral inwards toward neptune
• roche limit: dist. when tides triton creates will tear it apart
• pieces will float into space until moon is demolished
• pieces will create a new, more substantial ring system

Question 16

nereid (2)

Answer 16

• orbits in 360 days

- orbit = highly eccentric (non-circular)

Question 17

spacecraft visitor

Answer 17

voyager 2 = only earth probe