Neptune in fiction
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On Neptune
The planet NeptuneNeptune
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in the Solar System. Named for the Roman god of the sea, it is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third largest by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth and is slightly more massive than its near-twin Uranus, which is 15 times...
has been used as a reference and setting in various films and works of fiction:
- The first fictional visit of Neptune, portrayed as glacial but nevertheless inhabited, occurred in Spirito gentil (1889).
- In H. G. WellsH. G. WellsHerbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
's short story The Star, Neptune is destroyed in a collision with another supermassive object which reduces its orbital velocity to zero; the wreckage falls into the Sun, narrowly missing Earth. - In the Captain FutureCaptain FutureCaptain Future is a science fictional hero pulp character originally published in self-titled American pulp magazines during the 1940s and early 50s.-Origins:...
series, Neptune is portrayed as a sea planet, not out of any scientific theory but evidently because Neptune is the RomanRoman mythologyRoman mythology is the body of traditional stories pertaining to ancient Rome's legendary origins and religious system, as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans...
sea god. - In Olaf StapledonOlaf StapledonWilliam Olaf Stapledon was a British philosopher and author of several influential works of science fiction.-Life:...
's 1930 epic novel Last and First MenLast and First MenLast and First Men: A Story of the Near and Far Future is a "future history" science fiction novel written in 1930 by the British author Olaf Stapledon. A work of unprecedented scale in the genre, it describes the history of humanity from the present onwards across two billion years and eighteen...
, Neptune is the final home of the highly evolved human race. The planet is depicted as having a dense atmosphere but with a solid surface. - In Hugh WaltersHugh Walters (author)Hugh Walters was a writer of juvenile Science Fiction novels from Bradley in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom.-Biography:...
' 1968 novel Nearly NeptuneNearly NeptuneNearly Neptune is a juvenile science fiction novel, the twelfth in Hugh Walters' Chris Godfrey of U.N.E.X.A. series. It was published in the UK by Faber in 1968, in the US by Washburn Books in 1969 under the title Neptune One is Missing....
, the first manned expedition to Neptune ends in apparent disaster as a fire destroys vital equipment on board the spacecraft as it nears the planet. - Neptune was the intended destination of the mining ship Red DwarfRed DwarfRed Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
in the books based on the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom of that name, but an accident on board sends it into deep space instead. - The planet served as the backdrop for the 1997 science fiction/horror film Event HorizonEvent Horizon (film)Event Horizon is a 1997 science fantasy horror film. The screenplay was written by Philip Eisner and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. The film stars Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill...
. - The humorous short story, "The Elephants on Neptune" by Mike ResnickMike ResnickMichael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...
, was published in Asimov's Science FictionAsimov's Science FictionAsimov's Science Fiction is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy and perpetuates the name of author and biochemist Isaac Asimov...
, and was nominated for both a HugoHugo AwardThe Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
and a Nebula awardNebula AwardThe Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
(2001). - The pilot of the TV movie VirtualityVirtuality (TV series)Virtuality is a television pilot co-written by Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor and directed by Peter Berg that aired on the Fox network. Since the show was never picked up as a television series, the two-hour pilot episode aired as a movie on June 26, 2009.- Plot :The story is set aboard the...
centers around a starship preparing to make a flyby of Neptune before leaving the solar system. - MothstormMothstormMothstorm is a young adult novel by Philip Reeve, released in October 2008. Illustrated by David Wyatt, it is the third book in the Larklight Trilogy, sequel to the 2007 novel Starcross.-Plot:...
(2008), a book in the Larklight TrilogyLarklight trilogyThe Larklight trilogy is a trilogy of young adult novels by Philip Reeve, entitled Larklight, Starcross, and Mothstorm. These books are all illustrated by David Wyatt.-Setting:...
by Philip ReevePhilip ReevePhilip Reeve is a British author and illustrator. He presently lives on Dartmoor with his wife Sarah and their son Samuel.-Biography:...
. Neptune is called Hades. The lizard-like Silth tow their miniature Sun into orbit of it, allowing them to inhabit it and rename it Snil. The remainder of the giant moths they farmed are taken there also.
Neptunians
The planet is also used as the home of various alien species and characters:- In H. P. LovecraftH. P. LovecraftHoward Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
's Cthulhu MythosCthulhu MythosThe Cthulhu Mythos is a shared fictional universe, based on the work of American horror writer H. P. Lovecraft.The term was first coined by August Derleth, a contemporary correspondent of Lovecraft, who used the name of the creature Cthulhu - a central figure in Lovecraft literature and the focus...
, Neptune is known as "Yaksh" and is inhabited by curious fungoid creatures (Clark Ashton SmithClark Ashton SmithClark Ashton Smith was a self-educated American poet, sculptor, painter and author of fantasy, horror and science fiction short stories. He achieved early local recognition, largely through the enthusiasm of George Sterling, for traditional verse in the vein of Swinburne...
's The Family Tree of the Gods, 1944). - In the animated TV series FuturamaFuturamaFuturama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series follows the adventures of a late 20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J...
(1999–2003, 2007–2009), Neptunians are a purple-skinned, four-armed race of humanoids that coexist peacefully with humans across the solar system. Elzar the cook, is a Neptunian. Neptune itself is only seen in "A Tale of Two SantasA Tale of Two Santas"A Tale of Two Santas" is the third episode in season three of Futurama. It originally aired in North America on December 16, 2001.-Plot:It is Xmas again and everyone is locking down for the arrival of Robot Santa. The Professor sends the crew to deliver children's letters directly to Santa at his...
" and in "Bender's Big Score," where its North Pole is the location of Robot Santa's Death Fortress, with stunted Neptunian "elves" working for him, who are treated badly. Yetis are shown in Bender's Big Score. The planet is depicted as icy, but again, since only its north pole is shown, this may not be indicative of the entire planet. - In the Japanese AnimeAnimeis the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
Urusei YatsuraUrusei Yatsurais a comedic manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi that premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday in 1978 and ran until its conclusion in 1987. Its 374 individual chapters were collected and published in 34 tankōbon volumes. The series tells the story of Ataru Moroboshi, and the alien...
, Neptune is an icy, cold place which is the home of Oyuki, one of Lum's childhood alien friends. - Neptune had a Boskonian base on it in E. E. Smith's LensmanLensmanThe Lensman series is a serial science fiction space opera by Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith. It was a runner-up for the Hugo award for best All-Time Series ....
series (later destroyed by the Galactic Patrol). - In Space PatrolSpace Patrol (1962 TV series)Space Patrol is a science-fiction television series featuring marionettes that was produced in the United Kingdom in 1962. It was written and produced by Roberta Leigh in association with the Associated British Corporation.-Summary:...
(1962) - episode The Slaves of Neptune, the crew of the Galasphere are sent to solve the mystery of a spaceship sending colonists to PlutoPlutoPluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-most-massive known dwarf planet in the Solar System and the tenth-most-massive body observed directly orbiting the Sun...
which disappeared near Neptune. On approach to Neptune Dart, Slim and Husky fall under the hypnotic influence of Neptunian overlord Tyro who is using his powers to trap Earth colonists as slaves. - In Mork and MindyMork and MindyMork & Mindy is an American science fiction sitcom broadcast from 1978 until 1982 on ABC. The series starred Robin Williams as Mork, an alien who comes to Earth from the planet Ork in a small, one-man egg-shaped spaceship. Pam Dawber co-starred as Mindy McConnell, his human friend and roommate...
, the character of Kalnik claims (whether truthfully or not) to be from this planet; since the character is devious, it is possible he comes from much further away, since an advanced race on a planet as close as Neptune should be able to detect Kalnik's mischief at such close range. - The 1986 video game SqoonSqoonis a side-scrolling shooter game published in 1986 by Irem for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game is considered somewhat obscure and did not have a big impact on the gaming community.-Plot:...
names the antagonists 'Neptunians'. - In Grant MorrisonGrant MorrisonGrant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's DC One MillionDC One Million"DC One Million" was a crossover storyline that ran through a self titled, weekly limited series and through special issues of almost all "DCU" titles published by DC Comics in November 1998...
(1998), all the planets of the solar system are overseen by one member of the future descendants of the Justice League. Neptune is overseen by the AquamanAquamanAquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
of the 853rd century, and is described as being covered in oceans. - In 1975, the Mego Corporation created an eight-inch "Neptunian" http://www.megomuseum.com/startrek/neptunian.html action figure doll for its first line of "Star Trek Aliens." Although elaborately designed as a monstrous reptilian with a long, thin head, a scaly green-and-red jumpsuit (with wings sewn under each arm), and removable, reptilian, plastic green gloves and boots, the Neptunian is particularly noteworthy because it never appeared in any Star Trek TV episode or movie, before or since.
- In All-Star Comics #13 the Justice Society of AmericaJustice Society of AmericaThe Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
are gassed by Nazis and sent to different planets. Dr. Mid-Nite lands on Neptune, an ice-covered planet with some sort of a man-built communications system on the surface. He is met by several creatures and taken to meet Hydara, ruler of the subterranean people and made a slave. Just then, a person runs in and states that he has caught the dreaded plague that has been killing off his people. Dr. Mid-Nite deduces that they merely have the measles, which he can easily cure. He asks for herbs and makes a solution that the people can absorb through their feet-roots. As a reward, he is given a complete set of books describing their secrets of plant growth and surgical work. - In Marvel FamilyMarvel FamilyThe Marvel Family is a group of fictional characters, a team of superheroes in the Fawcett Comics and DC Comics universes. Created in 1942 by writer Otto Binder and Fawcett artists C. C...
#27 Neptune is shown to be inhabitated by a race of robots that use 'sounds' for currency. Cap meets a Neptunian who wants to capture a human for his freak show. Radio waves from Billy Batson's show are picked up by the ship and a device is activated that pulls him towards the ship. Billy summons Captain Marvel and easily defeats the Neptunians. He then foolishly turns back, thinking the Neptunians won't be scared of him. However he is hit on the head, and knocked out by the robot. The unconscious Billy is securley tied up and gagged. He finds himself in a cage with a cover on him. He gets the loose end of his gag on the cover and when it is pulled away his gag is pulled of. He transforms and the Neptunians think he is not human, but a robot due to his invulnerability. He flies the owner away from the mob and tells him not to exhibit people because they look different. However the robot then finds a Chink-Chink, a torotise-like creature that makes that sound and takes it back with him, hoping to exhibit it. - In Marvel Family #36 all life on Neptune is wiped out by the Invaders from Infinity (see List of Captain Marvel (DC Comics) enemies, who want to systematically destroy all forms of matter so they have more space to move in. Although never actually seen, it appears an outpost on PlutoPlutoPluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-most-massive known dwarf planet in the Solar System and the tenth-most-massive body observed directly orbiting the Sun...
is manned by Neptunians, who appear humanoid. The Neptunians are advanced enough to contact Earth. When the Marvels go to Neptune, they find holes, and think the Neptunians must have been a moleMole (animal)Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
-like race. The Neptunians are avenged when the Invaders are imprisoned and destroyed. - In July 1958 Superman journeys to Neptune to obtain a stone Superman head once sculpted by the Neptunians in his honor. The sculpture is one of a series of so-called “space trophies” which the Man of Steel gathers for inclusion in a time capsule which the Metropolis Museum plans to bury in the ground as a gift for the people of the fiftieth century A.D. (S No. 122/1: “The Secret of the Space Souvenirs”).
Neptune's moons in fiction
- Three levels of DescentDescent (video game)Descent is a 3D first-person shooter video game developed by Parallax Software and released by Interplay Entertainment Corp. in 1995. The game features six degrees of freedom gameplay and garnered several expansion packs...
take place on Neptune or its moons. Level 22 is set on Neptune in a storage depot. The setting for level 23 was also a storage depot, this time on Neptune's largest moon, TritonTriton (moon)Triton is the largest moon of the planet Neptune, discovered on October 10, 1846, by English astronomer William Lassell. It is the only large moon in the Solar System with a retrograde orbit, which is an orbit in the opposite direction to its planet's rotation. At 2,700 km in diameter, it is...
. Level 24 took place on NereidNereid (moon)Nereid , also known as Neptune II, is the third-largest moon of Neptune. It has a highly eccentric orbit. Nereid was discovered by Gerard Kuiper in 1949 and was the second moon of Neptune to be discovered.- Discovery and naming :...
, in a volatile materials mine. - In RingworldRingworldRingworld is a Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning 1970 science fiction novel by Larry Niven, set in his Known Space universe and considered a classic of science fiction literature. It is followed by three sequels, and preceded by four prequels, and ties into numerous other books set in Known Space...
by Larry NivenLarry NivenLaurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
, a segment is set on an OutsiderOutsider (Known Space)The Outsiders are a fictional alien race in Larry Niven's Known Space series. They are many-limbed beings that are invariably described as a cat o'nine tails with a fattened handle...
settlement on Nereid.
Triton
- Samuel R. DelanySamuel R. DelanySamuel Ray Delany, Jr., also known as "Chip" is an American author, professor and literary critic. His work includes a number of novels, many in the science fiction genre, as well as memoir, criticism, and essays on sexuality and society.His science fiction novels include Babel-17, The Einstein...
's 1976 novel TritonTriton (novel)Trouble on Triton: An Ambiguous Heterotopia is a science fiction novel by Samuel R. Delany. It was nominated for the 1976 Nebula Award for Best Novel, and was shortlisted for a retrospective James Tiptree, Jr. Award in 1995...
has humanity colonizing several parts of the solar system, including Neptune's largest moon. - Part of the Piers AnthonyPiers AnthonyPiers Anthony Dillingham Jacob is an English American writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is most famous for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth.Many of his books have appeared on the New York Times Best...
novel Macroscope is set on Triton, with the protagonists terraforming an area to set up as a settlement for themselves. - One storyline in Christopher McKitterickChristopher McKitterickChristopher McKitterick is an American writer of science fiction and an academic concerned with the field. He is Director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction, a program at the University of Kansas that supports an annual series of classes, workshops, online classes, and , a resource for...
's novel Transcendence takes place on Triton, where an alien artifact has been discovered. - In Jeffrey A. Carver's novel Neptune Crossing, there is a crew from Earth digging for ancient alien artifacts on Triton. Most of the story takes place on this moon.
- The background story of the computer game Supreme Commander makes note of a test of a Quantum tunnellingQuantum tunnellingQuantum tunnelling refers to the quantum mechanical phenomenon where a particle tunnels through a barrier that it classically could not surmount. This plays an essential role in several physical phenomena, such as the nuclear fusion that occurs in main sequence stars like the sun, and has important...
system being used to transport humans to Triton. - Triton was used as a temporary base of operations for the so-called 'Earthguard' by the Spathi in the computer game Star Control IIStar Control IIStar Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters is a critically acclaimed science fiction computer game, the second game in the Star Control trilogy. It was developed by Toys for Bob and originally published by Accolade in 1992 for PC; it was later ported to the 3DO with an enhanced multimedia presentation,...
. - In Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers one of the original ill-fated crew members revealed he had bought a house on Triton but would have to wear a spacesuit in his house as an oxygen atmosphere "had not been installed yet".
- In the Futurama episode The Tip of the ZoidbergThe Tip of the Zoidberg"The Tip of the Zoidberg", is the twenty-third episode of the sixth season of the animated sitcom Futurama. It aired on Comedy Central in the United States on August 18, 2011.- Plot :...
, Farnsworth and Zoidberg are dropped on Triton to hunt yetis.