Quck answer
The coldest planet in our solar system is Neptune. With an average temperature of -353 degrees Fahrenheit (-214 degrees Celsius), Neptune earns the title of the coldest planet. Its distance from the Sun, which is about 30 times farther than Earth’s distance, combined with its thick atmosphere made mostly of hydrogen and helium, contribute to its extremely low temperatures. The icy methane clouds on Neptune also play a role in keeping the planet cold. Despite being the coldest planet, Neptune is still a fascinating and mysterious world worth exploring further.
Are you experiencing the cold winds of winter in your area? When the extended, dark days of winter seem to go on and on, it may appear that Earth is the coldest planet in our Solar System. In fact, it is not uncommon for many regions to have below-freezing temperatures or even drop below 0º F regularly.
However, Earth is not even close to being the coldest planet in the Solar System, as astronomers will quickly inform you. Being the third planet from the Sun actually makes Earth one of the warmer planets, which is beneficial for us humans. We would not be able to survive the extremely cold temperatures found further out in the Solar System.
Earth is situated at a comfortable distance from the Sun, allowing humans and all life forms on Earth to thrive. As you move farther away from the Sun, temperatures decrease because the planets receive less and less of the Sun’s warming rays.
Using your deductive reasoning skills, you may already have a guess as to which planet in our Solar System is the coldest. If you are a traditional fan of the planets, you probably believe that Pluto is the coldest planet because it is the farthest from the Sun. And, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -387º F, you would be correct, except that Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet and is no longer considered a “real” planet.
Therefore, the title of coldest planet would go to the “real” planet that is farthest from the Sun, right? Well, while that makes sense, you would only be partially correct. It depends on how you define “coldest.”
With Pluto out of the competition, the farthest “real” planet from the Sun is Neptune. Neptune and its neighbor, Uranus, are referred to as the “ice giants” because they consist of large amounts of rock and water, ammonia, and methane ice crystals. Uranus is, on average, 1.79 billion miles away from the Sun, while Neptune is, on average, 2.8 billion miles away from the Sun.
Being over a billion miles farther away from the Sun and receiving only about 40% of the solar radiation that Uranus receives, one would assume that Neptune would be much colder than Uranus. However, scientists have been surprised to discover that Uranus reaches colder temperatures despite the fact that Neptune, on average, is colder than Uranus.
For instance, the average temperature of Neptune is approximately -350º F. Although Uranus is a billion miles closer to the Sun, its average temperature is approximately -325º F. Even though Uranus is usually slightly warmer than Neptune, it does reach the coldest temperatures of any planet. The coldest temperature ever recorded for Uranus was -371º F!
Scientists are not entirely sure why Uranus reaches such cold temperatures despite being much closer to the Sun than Neptune. Some speculate that it could be due to the planet’s peculiar orientation. Uranus appears to have been knocked onto its side, possibly by a massive impact during the early formation of the Solar System. Scientists believe that the unusual tilt of Uranus could cause heat from its core to escape into space. They also suspect that Uranus has a very active atmosphere that causes it to lose heat. In comparison, scientists think that Neptune’s atmosphere helps retain the heat from its hot core, resulting in warmer temperatures than expected.
Give It a Try
Brr! Warm up after today’s Wonder of the Day by exploring the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, we now have some incredible images of the farthest members of our Solar System. To view pictures of Uranus, visit the Uranus Picture Album on the Hubble website. What do you think? How would it feel to explore Uranus? Would you be willing to participate in such a mission? Why or why not?
- Now that you know Neptune is extremely cold, what else do you know about it? Go to Space.com to discover more about Planet Neptune. Write down at least five facts about Neptune that you were unaware of before. Share these facts with a friend or family member so that they can also learn more about Neptune!
- For years, astronomers believed that dwarf planet Pluto was simply a barren rock in outer space. However, thanks to NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft, researchers now have high-resolution images that reveal A Planet That’s Astonishingly Alive. Read the article on the National Geographic website to learn all about the new information being uncovered about Pluto!
Sources of Wonder
- http://www.universetoday.com/65353/what-is-the-coldest-planet-of-our-solar-system/
- http://www.spaceanswers.com/solar-system/why-is-uranus-colder-than-neptune/
- http://www.popsci.com/coldest-snowiest-iciest-places-our-solar-system?image=5
- http://space-facts.com/uranus/
- http://www.thestargarden.co.uk/Uranus.html
- http://www.thestargarden.co.uk/Neptune.html
- http://www.space.com/18563-pluto-temperature.html
FAQ
1. What is the coldest planet in our solar system?
The coldest planet in our solar system is Neptune. With an average temperature of about -353 degrees Fahrenheit (-214 degrees Celsius), Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun and experiences extremely cold temperatures.
2. How does Neptune’s cold temperature compare to other planets?
Neptune’s cold temperature is colder than any other planet in our solar system. Even though Uranus, which is also a gas giant, has a similar average temperature, Neptune holds the record for the coldest planet.
3. What factors contribute to Neptune’s extreme coldness?
Neptune’s extreme coldness can be attributed to its distance from the sun and its composition. Being about 2.7 billion miles away from the sun, Neptune receives very little heat and sunlight. Additionally, its thick atmosphere, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, traps and reflects very little sunlight, further contributing to its cold temperatures.
4. How do scientists measure the temperature of planets?
Scientists measure the temperature of planets using a variety of methods. For planets within our solar system, they use space probes and telescopes equipped with specialized instruments to detect and measure the infrared radiation emitted by the planets. By analyzing this radiation, scientists can determine the temperature of the planet.
5. Can anything survive on Neptune due to its extreme coldness?
Due to the extreme coldness of Neptune, it is highly unlikely that any known forms of life could survive on the planet. The lack of sunlight, extreme temperatures, and harsh atmospheric conditions make it inhospitable for life as we know it.
6. Are there any interesting features on Neptune despite its coldness?
Despite its extreme coldness, Neptune has several interesting features. It has a dynamic atmosphere characterized by high-speed winds and large storms, such as the famous Great Dark Spot. The planet also has a unique blue color, which is caused by the presence of methane in its atmosphere. These features make Neptune a subject of fascination for scientists and astronomers.
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