Using the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) in June 2023, Webb revealed bright, unmistakable auroras dancing in Neptune’s upper atmosphere. “Turns out, actually imaging the auroral activity ...

"Turns out, actually imaging the auroral activity on Neptune was only possible with Webb's near-infrared sensitivity," said lead author Henrik Melin of Northumbria University, who conducted the ...

The images in question of Neptune were captured by Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph in June 2023. "Imaging and confirming the auroras on Neptune has long evaded astronomers despite successful ...

Using Webb’s near-infrared spectrograph, astronomers have captured new images of Neptune that finally reveal the planet’s mysterious auroral activity. Faint hints of Neptune’s auroras were ...

"Turns out, actually imaging the auroral activity on Neptune was only possible with Webb's near-infrared sensitivity," said Henrik Melin of Northumbria University, who conducted the research while ...

But auroras around our sun’s most distant planet, Neptune, have long eluded astronomers. That has changed with the powerful infrared instruments aboard the James Webb Space Telescope.

“Turns out, actually imaging the auroral activity on Neptune was only possible with Webb’s near-infrared sensitivity,” said lead author Henrik Melin of Northumbria University, who conducted the ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. At the left, an enhanced-color image of Neptune from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

Credit: NASA illustration NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft found hints of auroras on Neptune in 1989, but scientists couldn’t get a clear picture then. Using Webb’s near-infrared instrument in ...