As an expert in the field of planetary science, I'm often asked about the conditions on the outer planets, and Neptune is certainly a fascinating subject. It's the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun in our solar system, and it's a gas giant, much like Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. The temperature on Neptune's surface is a topic of great interest, as it provides insights into the planet's atmosphere and weather patterns.

The surface of Neptune, or more accurately, the upper layers of its atmosphere where we can observe its conditions, is extremely cold. This is due to Neptune's distance from the Sun; it's about 30 astronomical units away, which means it receives very little sunlight. The temperature in Neptune's upper atmosphere, known as the troposphere, is around -218 degrees Celsius (-360 degrees Fahrenheit). This is quite a stark contrast to the core temperature mentioned in the provided information, which seems to be a misunderstanding.

The core of Neptune, like other gas giants, is believed to be much hotter due to the immense pressure and possibly ongoing geothermal processes. However, this heat is not directly observable from the surface as we would define it, because Neptune doesn't have a solid surface like Earth. Instead, the "surface" we refer to is the point at which the atmospheric pressure equals the Earth's at sea level.

The temperature gradient from Neptune's core to its upper atmosphere is indeed responsible for the planet's dynamic weather. The winds on Neptune are among the most intense in the solar system, with speeds reaching up to 2,100 kilometers per hour. These storms are driven by the heat from the core and the differential heating caused by Neptune's axial tilt and distance from the Sun.

It's important to note that the temperatures and wind speeds are measured and inferred through remote sensing techniques, as direct measurements are not possible with current technology. Voyager 2 provided us with the most detailed data during its flyby in 1989, and since then, our understanding has been built upon observations from Earth-based telescopes and other spacecraft.

In conclusion, while the core of Neptune may be extremely hot, the observable surface or upper atmosphere is quite cold, with temperatures around -218 degrees Celsius. The temperature differences drive the planet's unique and powerful weather systems.

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At its core, Neptune reaches temperatures of up to 7273 K (7000 --C; 12632 --F), which is comparable to the surface of the Sun. The huge temperature differences between Neptune's center and its surface create huge wind storms, which can reach as high as 2,100 km/hour, making them the fastest in the Solar System.May 21, 2016read more >>