Astronomers Find New Moons of Uranus and Neptune
The three new moons for Uranus and Neptune are each part of a "family," groupings that fragmented from a single parent object.
Solar Cycle May Trigger Clouds on Neptune
Nearly 30 years of observations indicate that Neptune’s clouds and brightness vary with the Sun’s activity.
Summer on Neptune is Surprisingly Chilly
Even though Neptune is entering its version of summer, it's actually cooling down — except for its poles, which are mysteriously warming up.
Where Did the Ice Giants Form?
Conventional planet formation scenarios have Neptune and Uranus forming closer to the Sun. But a new study shows that the ice giant planets could have formed right where they are now.
Hail-like “Mushballs” May Fall on All Our Giant Planets
"Mushballs," first inferred to exist on Jupiter, may fall within the atmospheres of all the solar system's giant planets.
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Asteroid Pallas Makes a Point in Pisces
Spice up your fall observing with a dash of Pallas and nibble of Neptune. Both planet and asteroid are easy to spot in a small telescope.
Ice Giants: Neptune and Uranus
Spot Uranus and Neptune, and relive the original discoveries.
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Observe Neptune as it Comes to Opposition
Neptune, currently the Solar System's outermost planet, reached opposition on September 10th at magnitude 7.8 in Aquarius.
Hubble Sets Its Sights on the Ice Giants
New Hubble Space Telescope images reveal an expanded polar cap on Uranus and another mysterious dark vortex on Neptune.
Trojan Asteroids Are in a Class of Their Own
Hordes of debris trapped by Jupiter and Neptune have distinct colors that mark them as possibly the last remnants of the material that built the giant planets.
The Outer Planets Move In, plus an "Old Moon" Observing Challenge
As the bright planets march westward, Uranus and Neptune become the fresh new faces of fall. And if you've never seen an ultra-thin lunar crescent, here's your chance.
Hubble: Weather Watcher of the Outer Solar System
Hubble's powerful eye scouts the outer planets once an Earth year, shedding light on planetary weather, like Jupiter's Great Red Spot and Neptune's Great Dark Spot.
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Dawn Dances, Neptunian Nights, and Eclipse Essence
The planets are aligning! The week ahead will feature multiple planetary conjunctions at dawn and great views of Neptune and Triton at nightfall.
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Mars Meets Neptune on New Year's Eve
Doing anything on New Year's Eve? Before you start toasting, don't miss an exceptionally close conjunction of Mars and Neptune.
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See Two Tricky Occultations — Neptune and Lambda (λ) Aqr
Now you see 'em, now you don't. Watch the Moon occult Neptune and nearby Lambda Aquarii on the same night.
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Neptune And Its Maverick Moon Triton
Neptune reaches opposition next week, giving amateurs the chance to track its unique, backwards-orbiting moon Triton.