Neptune, the last planet in the solar system, was revealed in infrared by James-Webb. The most advanced space telescope ever launched gives us a rare picture of the ice giant’s rings. An intriguing moon, Triton appears brighter than Neptune.

After the remarkable film Thursday This summer, tuesday A few days ago, there is a third planet here solar systemsolar system aiming at The telescopeThe telescope James-Webb, Farthest of all: Neptune.

differentlyHubble observed Neptune visuallyThe penetrating vision of JWSTJWST near InfraredInfrared The properties of the eighth and final planet in the solar system are revealed here (since omitted PlutoPluto) we are not used to seeing.

The first of these are his rings. The AstronomersAstronomers They are once again amazed by the space telescope’s ability to identify the most obscured and faintest parts of a celestial object. In the case of the ice giant, the rings were best seen in 1989 when the Voyager 2 spacecraft visited. You can see many moons, like Galatea, with very thin, accompanying dust rings. and Despina. If you look closely, another ring will appear near the planet.

Interesting colors of Neptune

In these images, the planet itself appears to glow like a disco ball in the evening, especially at its peak latitudeslatitudes and to the poles. Active areas are more reflective than these the lightthe light from SoleilSoleil than the restthe atmospherethe atmosphere Neptune’s is more homogeneous and darker due to absorption of methane.

Another detail that has not escaped researchers is the presence of edges the edgesthe edges White, including one very delicateEquatorEquatorNo doubt will be betrayed Atmospheric circulationAtmospheric circulationAs explained in NASANASA. It can be inferred from thingthing descending from colder high latitudes to the equator and becoming more infrared luminescent as it warms wavelengthwavelength James-Webb and his Nircam camera that captured him are sensitive.

Moon Triton shines brighter than Neptune in the James-Webb image

Rushing to what? the eyesthe eyes The moon is also present in this picture TritonTritonTop left NeptuneEven brighter A giant planetA giant planet himself Even looks like one the starthe star It’s amazing SensorSensor By James Webb. She’s not at all, of course. Much smaller than the planet (diameter 2,700 km), Triton It is a rocky celestial body that has greatly intrigued astronomers ever since OverviewOverview According to Voyager 2. appearance and specifications body structurebody structureIt is reminiscent of Pluto because it is covered in iceNitrogenNitrogen (It reflects 70% of the Sun’s light, which is why Triton outshines Neptune in JWST’s eye), and its orbitorbit Around Neptune, they suspect it came The Kuiper BeltThe Kuiper Belt (Between 30 and 50 Astronomical unitsAstronomical units).

Other, smaller moons you’ve never heard of can also be seen in this image. There are seven of the 14 known: Triton, and therefore, within Neptune’s rings, Galatea, Naiad, Thalassa, Despina, and finally Larissa.

A complementary view that changes our usual view of this giant icy planet, discovered only 176 years ago.