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Neptune
The eighth planet from the Sun - well, some of the time it's eighth, but
more on that later - has a rocky core surrounded by ice, hydrogen,
helium and methane. Like the other gas planets, Neptune has rapidly
swirling winds, but it is thought to contain a deep ocean of water. Its
quick rotation fuels fierce winds and myriad storm systems. The planet
has a faint set of rings and 8 known moons.
Because of Pluto's strange orbit, Neptune is sometimes the most
distant planet from the Sun. Since 1979, Neptune was the ninth planet
from the Sun. On February 11, 1999, it crossed Pluto's path and once
again become the eighth planet from the Sun, where will remain for 228
years.
Neptune was discovered in 1846 after mathematical calculations of Uranus' movements predicted the existence of another large body.
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