The Solar System - Word Search - PUZZLE #27 NEPTUNE - August 2025

PUZZLE #27 - NEPTUNE 

IN-CONTEXT WORD DEFINITIONS

Farthest: Neptune is the farthest known planet from the Sun in our solar system. It orbits at an average distance of about 4.5 billion kilometers (2.8 billion miles) and takes 165 Earth years to complete one orbit.

Triton: Triton is Neptune’s largest moon, notable for its retrograde orbit (it orbits opposite Neptune’s rotation), suggesting it was captured rather than formed with the planet. It’s geologically active, with ice volcanoes and geysers, and is one of the few moons in the solar system known to be cryovolcanic.

Winds: Neptune has the fastest winds in the solar system, reaching speeds of up to 2,100 km/h (1,300 mph). These extreme winds drive its dynamic atmosphere and contribute to massive storms like the Great Dark Spot.

Great Dark Spot: The Great Dark Spot was a massive storm system observed by Voyager 2 in 1989. Similar to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, it appeared as a dark vortex in Neptune’s atmosphere but later disappeared and was replaced by others, showing Neptune’s ever-changing weather.

Hydrogen: Neptune’s atmosphere is mostly hydrogen, along with helium and traces of methane. This hydrogen-rich composition makes Neptune, like Uranus, an ice giant rather than a gas giant like Jupiter or Saturn.

Helium: Helium is the second most abundant gas in Neptune’s atmosphere. Along with hydrogen, it forms the bulk of the outer atmosphere, contributing to the planet’s density and structure.

Ammonia: Ammonia is likely present in Neptune’s deeper atmosphere, possibly mixed with water and methane to form a slushy, icy mantle. It plays a role in the chemistry and internal composition of the planet.

Neptunian: “Neptunian” refers to anything related to Neptune — such as its moons, atmosphere, weather, or internal structure. In exoplanet science, “Neptunian” also describes planets similar in size and composition to Neptune.

Poseidon: Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, and Neptune is his Roman equivalent. The planet was named Neptune to honor this mythological sea god, reflecting its deep blue color and connection to watery imagery.

Secret Word: Neptune appears as an intense hue of this color, primarily due to methane in its upper atmosphere, which absorbs red light and reflects blue. The planet’s deep coloration also hints at unknown atmospheric chemicals and scattering effects.