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James Webb Telescope Captures Neptune's Auroras for the First Time

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured bright auroral activity on Neptune for the first time, marking a significant milestone in understanding the planet's atmosphere.
Neptune's auroras were found at mid-latitudes due to its tilted magnetic field, challenging existing knowledge of its magnetic behavior.
The Webb telescope's observations showed Neptune's atmosphere has cooled dramatically since 1989, explaining why auroras remained hidden.
Henrik Melin from Northumbria University noted he was 'shocked' by the clarity and detail of the auroral images captured.

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The Northern Echo

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North East scientists help capture stunning images of Neptune auroras

Scientists at Northumbria University have successfully captured images of auroras on Neptune using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

4 days ago·County Durham, United Kingdom

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The Debrief

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NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Just Spotted Something on Neptune Astronomers Have Never Seen Before

For the first time, new images made possible by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have revealed the glow of Neptune’s elusive aurora. Although auroras have been observed on other planets in our solar system, the phenomenon has never been documented in imagery of the eighth planet from the Sun. The new Webb images reveal the planet’s aurora as areas of hazy cyan blue (see below). Auroras result from highly energetic particles from the Sun trapped…

5 days ago

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KCRG

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Auroras spotted on Neptune for the first time

New images from the James Webb Space Telescope are showing auroras around Neptune for the first time.

5 days ago·Cedar Rapids, United States

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Good News Network

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Neptune’s Long-Hidden Auroras Are Captured for the First Time–While Revealing a New Mystery

NASA’s Webb Space Telescope was finally able to capture bright auroras on Neptune—the most distant planet in our solar system. “In the past, astronomers have seen tantalizing hints of auroral activity on Neptune, for example, in the flyby of NASA’s Voyager 2 in 1989,” said the space agency this week. “However, imaging and confirming the […] The post Neptune’s Long-Hidden Auroras Are Captured for the First Time–While Revealing a New Mystery appea…

6 days ago·United States

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BGR

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Astronomers finally spotted auroras on Neptune

Despite being part of our own solar system, Neptune has long been a cosmic mystery. It’s the most distant planet from the Sun and also one of the least explored. Only one spacecraft—Voyager 2—has ever flown by it, and even our most powerful telescopes have struggled to reveal much about its dynamic, icy atmosphere. But now, after decades of failed attempts, scientists have finally detected auroras on Neptune—and the discovery is already reshapin…

6 days ago

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West Hawaii Today

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Auroras are spotted on Neptune for the first time, and lead to a new mystery - West Hawaii Today

The vermilion, amethyst and jade ribbons of the northern and southern lights are some of Earth’s most distinctive features. But our planet doesn’t have a monopoly on auroras. Scientists have spied them throughout the solar system, weaving through the skies of Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and even on some of Jupiter’s fiery and icy moons.

7 days ago

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