Time on Neptune Now

Neptune, the farthest planet in our Solar System, has a timekeeping system quite different from what we experience on Earth. The Neptune Planetary Clock adjusts the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970) to Neptune’s specific rotational and orbital characteristics, allowing you to track the passage of time on this distant ice giant.

How it Works

The Planetary Clock uses Earth’s Unix time as a starting point, adjusting it to fit each planet’s rotation and orbit. For Neptune, these calculations take into account the time it takes Neptune to complete one full rotation on its axis (a 'day'), and the time it takes Neptune to complete one full orbit around the Sun (a 'year').

By incorporating these factors, the Planetary Clock translates Earth time into Neptune time, showing the current date and time on Neptune as synchronised to the Unix epoch.

 

Neptune's Unique Rotation and Orbit

Neptune’s position as the farthest planet from the Sun gives it both a long orbit and a relatively fast rotation.

A day on Neptune is approximately 16 hours and 6 minutes, meaning Neptune spins faster than Earth. The Planetary Clock reflects this by showing time progressing more quickly on Neptune day by day, even though the years pass much more slowly.

In contrast to its short day, Neptune takes an astounding 164.8 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. This means Neptune’s Planetary Clock moves through its years at an extremely slow pace, with only a fraction of a single year passing since the Unix epoch began in 1970.

Neptune’s combination of a fast rotation and an incredibly slow orbit creates a unique timekeeping system. The Planetary Clock must balance these extremes, displaying rapid daily cycles but reflecting how slowly Neptune moves through its centuries-long orbit around the Sun.