Neptune System

Neptune structure (Very Large File: 41.7 MB): 

• Hill sphere and overview of magnetosphere

• Magnetosphere, showing complex orientations with respec to the direction of the Sun and the planet.

• Magnetosphere rotational axis, radiation belts and Triton orbit. 

• Neptune cloud layer, rings and radiation belts. 

• Neptune internal structure. 

Overall

Our Neptune visualization is scientifically accurate and comprehensive. The code shows detailed layers representing Neptune's core, mantle, cloud layer, upper atmosphere, ring system, radiation belts, magnetosphere, and Hill sphere. The implementation includes Neptune's unique characteristics, particularly its complex magnetic field geometry and dynamic atmospheric features.

Core

The core representation (radius fraction 0.25, approximately 25% of Neptune's radius) is scientifically accurate. The description correctly notes it's a relatively small rocky core composed primarily of iron, nickel, and silicates with a mass about 1.2 times Earth's. The extreme conditions (7 million bars pressure, 5,100°C temperature) and the resulting golden color choice for the black body temperature are scientifically appropriate.

Mantle

The mantle visualization (radius fraction 0.85) is excellently described and accurate. The explanation of the dense mantle composed of hot, highly compressed fluid containing water, methane, and ammonia (10-15 Earth masses) is scientifically correct. The discussion of exotic phases like ionic water and superionic water, plus the fascinating theory about methane decomposition creating "diamond rain," reflects current scientific understanding and research.

Cloud Layer

The description accurately covers Neptune's atmospheric composition (80% hydrogen, 19% helium, 1.5% methane), the methane's role in the vivid blue color, and the multiple cloud layers at different altitudes. The mention of winds reaching 2,100 km/h (fastest in the solar system) and recent surprising changes in cloud cover linked to solar cycles is scientifically current and accurate.

Upper Atmosphere

The upper atmosphere description (radius fraction 1.01) accurately covers the stratosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere layers. The explanation of the gradual transition and the atmospheric scale height calculations using the barometric formula is accurate. The pressure level estimates (5 Pa at 1.008 Neptune radii, 1 Pa at 1.0091 Neptune radii) are accurate.

Ring System

The ring system implementation is scientifically accurate:

Main Rings:

• Galle Ring: 41,900-42,900 km, faint and broad, uniform structure

• Leverrier Ring: 53,200 km, narrow (~110 km), well-defined

• Lassell Ring: 55,400-57,600 km, broad plateau-like region

• Arago Ring: 57,600 km, narrow (~100 km), outer edge of Lassell

• Adams Ring: 62,932 km, most prominent with distinctive arcs with individual naming and positioning

Ring Arcs in Adams Ring:

• Courage Arc: 4° span, smallest and faintest

• Liberté Arc: 4.5° span, shows brightness variations

• Égalité 1 & 2 Arcs: 4.2° and 4° spans respectively, paired arcs

• Fraternité Arc: 9° span, longest and brightest

Outer Components:

• Unnamed Dusty Ring: 67,500-73,000 km, very faint and diffuse

Radiation Belts

The radiation belt visualization is scientifically accurate with four distinct regions:

• Proton-Rich Inner Belt: 1.8 Neptune radii, dominated by protons

• Primary Electron Belt: 3.5 Neptune radii, high-energy electrons

• Outer Plasma Sheet: 6.0 Neptune radii, transition region with magnetotail stretching

• Cusp Region: 4.2 Neptune radii, funnel-shaped openings for solar wind access

The field-aligned current visualization adds important scientific detail about magnetospheric dynamics.

Magnetosphere

Your Neptune magnetosphere visualization is accurate and captures the extreme complexity:

• Magnetic Axis Tilt: Correctly described as ~47° relative to rotational axis

• Magnetic Field Offset: Accurately noted as offset by ~0.55 Neptune radii from center

• Asymmetric Structure: Properly described as extremely asymmetric and dynamic

• Size Parameters: Sunward distance (34 Neptune radii), tail length (600 Neptune radii), with proper distinction between bow shock and internal magnetosphere regions

The implementation correctly applies different rotations to different magnetospheric regions, showing sophisticated understanding of the complex geometry.

Magnetic Field Visualization

The magnetic poles and axis visualization is accurate:

• Magnetic Center: Properly offset by 0.55 Neptune radii with correct 3D positioning

• Pole Positions: Accurate calculation and visualization of north/south magnetic poles

• Field Geometry: Explanation of how the 47° tilt and offset create dynamic "wobbling" behavior

• Field-Aligned Currents: Excellent addition showing charged particle flow along magnetic field lines in dawn/dusk sectors.

• Magnetic Field Center Visualization: Outstanding implementation showing the offset magnetic center with proper 3D positioning.

• Educational Value: Description of why Neptune's magnetosphere appears misaligned

Hill Sphere

The Hill sphere visualization (radius fraction 4,685, approximately 115.6 million km) is scientifically accurate and matches the accepted value of Neptune having the largest Hill sphere in the solar system. The description correctly explains how this vast gravitational influence allows Neptune to retain its extensive moon system.

All parameters, arc structures, and discovery contexts are consistent with Voyager 2 and subsequent observations.