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00093_Field_Art-ST13.TXT.txt
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1996-08-21
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Neptune
Neptune, the eighth planet of the
Solar System, is built like a giant gas
ball more than 17 times the size of
Earth. It consists largely of hydro-
gen, helium and methane; since
methane absorbs red light, the planet
has a luminescent blue color.
Voyager 2 flew past Neptune in
1989 and discovered a great oval
spot, similar to the one found on
Jupiter. The cloud formation is about
the size of earth. Voyager also dis-
covered six new moons, in addition
to the two that were known. It pho-
tographed a large, Grand Canyon-
like fault on the surface of the moon
of Triton.
Neptune was Voyager 2' s last
encounter. In August of 1989, it left
the Solar System to probe into the
depths of interstellar space.