Four years ago, astronomers noticed the abundant clouds on Neptune had largely disappeared. Telescope data may have helped researchers figure out why.
Astronomers have been puzzling over a mystery on Neptune, and now they think they have unlocked its secret. The ice giant’s ghostly, cirrus-like clouds largely disappeared four years ago. Today, just a patch hovers over the planet’s south pole.
1% of the intensity Earth receives,” according to NASA. The findings also contradict the idea of the clouds being affected by Neptune’s four seasons, which each last about 40 years. “This is a very interesting paper and a very nice piece of good, old-fashioned detailed detective work,” said Patrick Irwin, a professor of planetary physics at the University of Oxford who wasn’t involved in the study, via email.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NFL Preseason Week 2: Dolphins 28, Texans 3 — Four Winners, Four LosersThroughout the Houston Texans' 2023 offseason and preseason, there have been various themes, many of them captured perfectly on liberty white, battle red, and deep steel blue merchandise — SWARM, 'iron sharpens iron,' and 'FAMILIA,' to name a few. In plain English, though, the theme throughout the last several months...
Read more »
Enter to win four GA tickets to Bright Nights at Four Mile Historic Park!Recurring member? You’ve been automatically entered into this giveaway! Not a recurring member? Learn more about our membership program, and how your gift supports keeping...
Read more »
Neptune's Clouds Have Strangely Disappeared, Scientists ReportSomething very strange has happened to Neptune.
Read more »
Neptune’s Clouds Perform a Surprise Disappearing ActNeptune's clouds have nearly disappeared for the first time in three decades. Observations indicate a potential link between the planet's cloud patterns and the solar cycle, despite Neptune's vast distance from the Sun. Ongoing research aims to unravel this mystery. For the first time in nearly t
Read more »
James Webb Space Telescope offers a mesmerizing look at the Ring Nebula (photos)Monisha Ravisetti is Space.com's Astronomy Editor. She covers black holes, star explosions, gravitational waves, exoplanet discoveries and other enigmas hidden across the fabric of space and time. Previously, she was a science writer at CNET, and before that, reported for The Academic Times. Prior to becoming a writer, she was an immunology researcher at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. She graduated from New York University in 2018 with a B.A. in philosophy, physics and chemistry. She spends too much time playing online chess. Her favorite planet is Earth.
Read more »
Webb Space Telescope Drops Two Spellbinding Shots of the Ring NebulaImages taken by the telescopes NIRCam and MIRI instruments show the gassy structure as never before.
Read more »