Everything Everywhere Daily Neptune
Feb 10, 2023
Discover the captivating tale of Neptune's discovery, starting from Galileo's early telescope views to its confirmation by astronomers in 1846. Uncover the intriguing story behind naming this icy giant after the Roman god of the sea. Voyager 2's groundbreaking flyby in 1989 revealed Neptune's secrets, sparking excitement for future missions. Delve into its unique characteristics and the debates surrounding its classification in the solar system, highlighting the ongoing mysteries of this distant planet.
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Galileo's Accidental Sighting
- Galileo likely sketched Neptune in 1612 without realizing it was a planet because it looked like a star.
- Neptune's retrograde motion then made it appear nearly stationary from Earth, hiding its planetary nature.
Discovery By Prediction
- Uranus's orbital irregularities led astronomers to predict another planet's existence.
- Neptune became the first planet discovered by mathematical prediction before confirmed observation.
Naming And Credit Dispute
- Several astronomers vied for credit: Urbain Le Verrier and John Couch Adams calculated Neptune's orbit independently.
- Observers proposed different names, and Le Verrier unsuccessfully tried to name the planet after himself before 'Neptune' prevailed.