Neptune, which is four times as wide as Earth, is the most distant planet of our solar system. Voyager 2's observations whetted the appetites of astronomers, who were eager to learn more about the ice giant.
Now we've returned. Sort of.
On Sept 21, the James Webb Space Telescope cast its powerful gold-plated eye onto this remote world.
The power of this infrared machine, the largest and most advanced telescope ever sent to space, has provided some of our best views of Neptune in 30 years.
"I have been waiting so long for these images of Neptune," said Dr Heidi Hammel, an interdisciplinary scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which runs the Webb telescope. "I'm so happy that it has worked." Ground-based observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope have taken many images of Neptune in the past three decades. But the Webb's views of Neptune, taken in July, provide an unprecedented glimpse of the planet in infrared light.
It took just a few minutes for the telescope to image Neptune close up, and an additional 20 to take a wider view, revealing not just the planet but myriad galaxies behind it stretching into the cosmos.
This story is from the September 26, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 26, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Chicken rice master co-created famed Chatterbox dish
Mr Kiang Joon Toh, better known as chicken rice master Sergeant Kiang, died on April 23, shortly after turning 86 on April 19.
A new family motto, thanks to lovely Grab driver 'Mrs 32'
My husband, daughter and I have been visiting Singapore for the past 2 months.
NADAL COY ON FRENCH OPEN
Spaniard unlikely to get seeding at Roland Garros, will play only if he can compete well
WE WERE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH: KLOPP
Shattered Reds boss apologises to fans as his first away derby loss dents title hopes
SWISS COTTAGE END LENGTHY DROUGHT
Hugo plays vital role as his side beat Jurong to seal first B boys’ basketball title since 1994
BAKEEL ALL SET TO GO TWO BETTER
Burridge’s top 3YO banking on Classic’s 400m and better draw
S'pore chipmakers see growth wave amid generative AI boom
Republic set to be key player as firms look to expand capacity, widen talent pool
Call for EU firms to use Singapore springboard into Asean region
Businesses in EU boost efforts to work with firms here in digital tech, sustainability
Singapore stocks end lower ahead of key US inflation data
STI down 0.2% amid caution; losers beat gainers 311 to 271
Condo resale prices inch up, more units sold in March
Measured price growth attributed to high interest rates, mismatch in expectations