This is an image of Neptune.
Click on image for full size
NASA
The Environment of Neptune
Neptune's atmospheric environment is one of strong gravity, high pressure, extremely cold temperatures of 50 K to 120 K (-270 degrees F to -380 degrees F). Moreover there is energy from lightning, ultraviolet light, and charged particles.
Neptune is made of methane, ethane and other sophisticated gases. These materials, combined with the energy from lightning, ultraviolet light, and charged particles, constitute the essential elements of conditions under which scientists believe life began. But life on Earth grew and changed, and now these conditions are no longer suitable for life as we know it.
The interior of Neptune is very hot and liquid-like, but the temperature is as high as 10,000 degrees, and the pressures are as great as three million times the sea-level pressure on earth.
Overall, the environment of Neptune sounds very unfriendly to life as we know it on earth.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Traveling Nitrogen is a fun group game appropriate for the classroom. Players follow nitrogen atoms through living and nonliving parts of the nitrogen cycle. For grades 5-9.
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