One Neptunian year - Neptune's birthday

164.79 Earth years or one Neptunian year on July 12, marks Neptune's birthday since its first discovered on 24 September 1846.




Fast facts about Neptune

Planet Neptune glowing via telescope

1. Neptune was named after Roman god of the sea, it's the Solar System's outermost planet.
2. Neptune cannot be seen from Earth without a telescope or binoculars. 
3. It is covered by bright blue methane clouds that whip around the globe at speeds measuring more than 1,600km/h (994mph).
4. Though its diameter is four times that of the Earth's and it is 17 times as big, it is less dense and doesn't have a solid surface.
5. It is, on average, about 4.5 billion km (2.8 billion miles) from the Sun.
6. The distance between Neptune and the Sun varies by 101 million km (63 million miles) depending on where the planet is in its orbit.
7. Its atmosphere is made up of 80% hydrogen, 19% helium and traces of methane.
8. There are 13 known moons which orbit Neptune, the largest of which is Triton. Source: BBC

Meanwhile, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said stargazers will need binoculars or a telescope to see Neptune at about 1 a.m. of July 12.

“At 1:00 a.m. (of July 12), Neptune and Uranus will be glowing at magnitude +7.8 and +5.8. They will be located 53 and 31 degrees above the east-southeast horizon, and will lie among the stars of the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer and Pisces, the Fish, respectively," acting administrator Nathaniel Servando said.