Neptune: Mathematical Prediction Becomes Planetary Discovery

On September 24th in Science History, a significant event took place in 1846 when the planet Neptune was discovered. This discovery was a remarkable triumph of mathematical calculations and scientific deduction.

In the early 19th century, astronomers noticed that the orbit of Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun, was not behaving as predicted by Newton's laws of motion. Urbain Le Verrier, a French mathematician and astronomer, hypothesized that the discrepancies in Uranus' orbit could be explained by the gravitational pull of an undiscovered planet beyond Uranus.

Le Verrier performed extensive calculations to determine the probable location of this hypothetical planet. Independently, British astronomer John Couch Adams had also reached similar conclusions. However, the British astronomical community did not take Adams' work seriously, and his findings were not pursued.

On September 23, 1846, Le Verrier presented his calculations to the Berlin Observatory, where astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle received them. Galle, along with his assistant Heinrich Louis d'Arrest, decided to search for the predicted planet that very night.

Using Le Verrier's calculations, Galle and d'Arrest pointed their telescope to the predicted location in the constellation Aquarius. Within just an hour of searching, they discovered a new planet, later named Neptune, only one degree away from the position calculated by Le Verrier.

The discovery of Neptune was a significant moment in the history of science, as it demonstrated the power of mathematical predictions and the importance of international collaboration in scientific research. It also marked the first time a planet was discovered through mathematical calculations rather than direct observation.

The discovery of Neptune expanded our understanding of the Solar System and opened up new avenues for astronomical research. It also showcased the incredible accuracy of Newtonian mechanics in predicting the behavior of celestial bodies.

Today, Neptune remains a fascinating subject of study, with ongoing research into its atmosphere, rings, and moons. The discovery of this ice giant on September 24, 1846, forever changed our perception of the Solar System and highlighted the remarkable achievements possible through scientific inquiry and collaboration.


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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to This Moment in Science History podcast on September
twenty four. In science history, a significant event took place
in eighteen forty six when the planet Neptune was discovered.
This discovery was a remarkable triumph of mathematical calculations and
scientific deduction. In the early nineteenth century, astronomers noticed that

(00:24):
the orbit of Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun,
was not behaving as predicted. That the orbit of Uranius
was appealed to a patriotic and in fact the full
metal of the East. Eubane Liverier, a French mathematician and astronomer,
hypothesized that the discrepancies in Uranus's orbit could be explained

(00:45):
by the gravitational pull of an undiscovered planet beyond Uranus.
Leverier performed extensive calculations to determine the probable location of
this hypothetical planet. Independently, British astronomer On Couch Adams had
also reached similar conclusions. However, the British astronomical community did

(01:07):
not take Adams's work seriously and his findings were not pursued.
On September twenty third, eighteen forty six, Laverier presented his
calculations to the Berlin Observatory, where astronomer Johann Gottfried Gali
received them. Gali, along with his assistant Heinrich Lewis Darest,
decided to search for the predicted planet that very night.

(01:29):
Using Laverier's calculations, Gali and Dares pointed their telescope to
the predicted location in the constellation Acrius. Within just an
hour of searching, they discovered a new planet, later named Neptune,
only one degree away from the position calculated by Laverier.
The discovery of Neptune was a significant moment in the
history of science, as it demonstrated the power of mathematical

(01:52):
predictions and the importance of international collaboration in scientific research.
It also marked the first time of planet was discovered
through mathematical calculations rather than direct observation. The discovery of
Neptune expanded our understanding of the Solar System and opened
up new avenues for astronomical research. It also showcased the

(02:14):
incredible accuracy of Newtonian mechanics in predicting the behavior of
celestial bodies. Today, Neptune remains a fascinating subject of study,
with ongoing research into its atmosphere, rings, and moons. The
discovery of this ice giant on September twenty fourth, eighteen
forty six, forever changed our perception of the Solar System

(02:35):
and highlighted the remarkable achievements possible through scientific inquiry and collaboration.
And that wraps it up for another episode. Please subscribe
and join us tomorrow for another great moment in science.
This has been a Quiet Please Studio's production. For more
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