Why Neptune Was Discovered in 1846 Using Predictions, Not by Chance

Neptune, the eighth planet in our solar system, became visible for the first time ever on September 23, 1846. Astronomers were able to see it along with the rest of the planets ever since. This was an extraordinary achievement. It validated the concept that new worlds, not yet visible, could be discovered in the future. The work of Newton was paying off. It was, after all, the unaided result of mathematical calculations.

The Mystery of Uranus and the Search for a New Planet

Starting in the 1800s, there was a growing scientific belief that something was not quite right. Planet number seven, Uranus, failed to act in accordance with expectations with its motion, along with its orbit. It was being influenced by something, a mystery. Crossing the boundaries of utter brilliance, two mathematicians, on their own, were able to crack the problem. One was located in France, Urbain Le Verrier, while the other, John Couch Adams, was in England. Each of their calculations strongly indicated the presence of another planet beyond Uranus.

The Night Neptune Was Found

Le Verrier sent a portion of his work and the predictions he’d made to the Berlin Observatory. On the very same night, his predictions were successfully tested by a couple of astronomers. One was named Johann Galle and the other student he was with was a Heinrich D’Arrest. Together, they were able to find the claimed planet. A very light blue disk appeared in their telescopes, all in the location Le Verrier had described.

This was an amazing find in the world of astronomy. The mathematic predictions were made before the physical planet was even able to be seen, making this discovery all the more special. It was a monumental event for this science, more so, for it was able to depict the work of physics to worlds that were not so easily reachable.

A Glimpse Into Neptune

Neptune is a gigantic planet which is four times bigger than Earth. It is filled with strong clouds of methane which gives a deep sapphire colour along with brooding clouds and faint rings. Triton, one of its moons, is unique as it revolves in a backward orbit which is contrary to all moons in the solar system. All of this information was not known in the year of 1846, however the new advancements in the field opened the door to this planet as well.

Why Neptune’s Discovery Matters

The Case of Neptune is not purely scientific. It also is a case of remarkable curiosity and persistence along with the bravery to follow the numbers instead of sight. On that September evening, the foretold increase in the solar system’s expanse was a reminder that new information is out there waiting to be discovered.

References

• NASA – Neptune: The Eighth Planet

• European Southern Observatory – The Discovery of Neptune

• Britannica – Discovery of Neptune

• Space.com – How Neptune Was Discovered