Neptune : Discovery News

There's a Mysterious Spot on Uranus!

Posted by Mark Thompson Fri Oct 28, 2011 03:20 PM ET | 0

There's a strange brightening in the Uranian atmosphere and amateur astronomers can help investigate what it is. Read more

Double-Whammy Knocked Uranus to Its Side

Posted by Irene Klotz Fri Oct 7, 2011 09:56 AM ET | 0

At least two Earth-sized objects may have smashed into the planet, toppling it on a tilt. Read more

Look Up! Uranus Opposes the Sun

Posted by Mark Thompson Tue Sep 27, 2011 03:06 PM ET | 0

Astronomer Mark Thompson investigates why the "ice giant" Uranus is at a very special point in its orbit. Read more

Ice Giant Neptune's Fiery Glow

Posted by Jason Major Sun Sep 18, 2011 09:12 PM ET | 0

See cold, distant Neptune and its moon Triton as you've never seen them before -- through the eyes of the Keck infrared observatory. Read more

Voyager 2 Met Uranus 25 Years Ago

Posted Mon Jan 24, 2011 09:05 PM ET | 0

On Jan. 24, 1986, the NASA mission took close-up photos of the enigmatic 'ice giant.' Read more

Could ET Spot Our Solar System?

Posted by Irene Klotz Tue Sep 28, 2010 09:12 AM ET | 0

Would an extraterrestrial with a planet-hunting telescope know our star has planets? Yes, conclude astronomers. Read more

Alien Planetary Systems Are Both Familiar and Surprising

Posted by Ray Villard Mon Aug 30, 2010 02:28 AM ET | 0

We are at the point where astronomers can study the architecture of entire planetary systems. Read more

Alien Planetary Systems Are Both Familiar and Surprising

When Will Neptune Complete Its First Orbit Since Discovery?

Posted by Ian O'Neill Wed Aug 18, 2010 02:37 PM ET | 0

As we approach the 164th anniversary of Neptune's discovery, there's another reason why we should celebrate this astronomical event: the gas giant is about to complete its first orbit since it was first spotted. Read more

When Will Neptune Complete Its First Orbit Since Discovery?

Neptune's Cold Case: Shot by a Comet 200 Years Ago?

Posted by Ian O'Neill Tue Jul 20, 2010 04:50 PM ET | 0

After some clever detective work, astronomers think Neptune was hit by a large comet... two centuries ago. Read more

Neptune's Cold Case: Shot by a Comet 200 Years Ago?

Splitting Cyclone Spotted on Neptune

Posted Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:50 AM ET | 0

If the violent conditions observed so far are any indication, this weekend's weather forecast for Neptune can't be good. Read more

The Planet That Ate My Super-Earth!

Posted by Ray Villard Thu Mar 25, 2010 01:09 PM ET | 0

Neptune and Uranus may possibly be hiding 4-billion year old clues to interplanetary homicide. Read more

Pluto's Little Sister Found?

Posted by Irene Klotz Mon Jan 25, 2010 01:49 PM ET | 0

When it comes to objects in the Kuiper Belt, the vast, icy ring that encircles our solar system, size matters. Read more

Diamond Oceans Possible on Uranus, Neptune

Posted by Eric Bland Fri Jan 15, 2010 07:14 AM ET | 0

Using incredible levels of pressure and temperature, scientists melt and then re-solidify a chunk of diamond and make a surprising revelation. Read more

Taking the Kuiper Belt Census

Posted Thu Dec 10, 2009 04:33 PM ET | 0

Out near the orbit of Pluto, the Kuiper Belt holds thousands of minor bodies. But what can they tell us about the origin of the solar system? Quite a lot, according to veteran Lowell Observatory astronomer Larry Wasserman. Read more

Triton's Ice Doesn't Mix

Posted by Ian O'Neill Fri Oct 2, 2009 06:34 PM ET | 0

Content prepared in collaboration with Discovery Space partner Lowell Observatory. Triton is a mysterious world. Orbiting the gas giant Neptune, the planet's biggest moon was imaged up-close for the first time during Voyager 2's flyby of the outer... Read more