Like Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune emits about 2.5 times as much heat energy as it receives from the Sun, although calculations show it should have already lost all of its original heat. What is the most likely explanation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neptune emits more heat than it receives from the Sun because it is still contracting, a process that generates heat due to the gravitational compression of the planet's atmosphere and interior. This contraction is a key factor in explaining why Neptune, like Jupiter and Saturn, radiates more energy than it absorbs from solar radiation.

Like Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune Emits About 2