Discovering Neptune
Victorian Era Discoveries
Discovering Neptune
Neptune was officially discovered September 23, 1846. But, a lot happened that lead up to the discovery of this gas giant. The observations recorded by Galileo in 1613 suggested that he viewed the planet Neptune without knowledge of it's significance. Later, in 1781, Uranus was discovered. Observations and mathematical calculations made about the planet suggested that another planet (Neptune) was nearby.
Contributors
Officially, two French astronomers Leverrier and Bouvard and English astronomer John Couch Adams made the mathematical calculations of where Neptune should be and German astronomer Johann Galle observed it.
Fun Facts
- The planet was named after the Roman god of the oceans; the same as the Greek God Poseidon.
- Neptune suffers the most violent weather in our Solar System.