Neptune: The Windiest Planet — Reading Comprehension

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is known as the windiest planet because of its extremely fast winds. These winds can blow up to 1,200 miles per hour, which is faster than the speed of sound on Earth. Neptune is a gas giant, meaning it is made mostly of gases like hydrogen and helium, not solid rocks like Earth.

The atmosphere of Neptune is thick and made of hydrogen, helium, and a gas called methane. Methane is important because it gives Neptune its blue color. The sunlight that reaches Neptune passes through its atmosphere, and methane absorbs the red light. Only blue light is reflected back, so Neptune looks bright blue from space.

Neptune’s weather is extreme. The planet has huge storms and the fastest winds in the solar system. One famous storm is called the Great Dark Spot. This is a giant spinning storm, much like a hurricane on Earth, but much larger. Scientists believe the strong winds are caused by Neptune’s internal heat and the way it spins quickly on its axis. This makes the gases in the atmosphere move very fast.

Neptune is very far from the Sun, so it is cold and dark there. Its orbit takes about 165 Earth years to go around the Sun once. Even though it is so far away, studying Neptune helps scientists learn more about weather, wind, and the way planets work.

Interesting Fact: Neptune has at least 14 moons, and its largest moon, Triton, moves in the opposite direction of Neptune’s spin!

What color does Neptune appear?

What is Neptune mostly made of?

How long is Neptune’s orbit around the Sun?

What causes Neptune’s blue color?

Why are Neptune’s winds so strong?

What is the Great Dark Spot?

Neptune is the windiest planet.

What does 'axis' mean?