Neptune's First Birthday

[rabbithutch]

According to the Guardian

[661-pete]

Happy birthday, Neptune, and have a good 'un! :hello2:

But careful with the cake! With surface winds of over 2000 Km/h it won't be easy to keep the candle alight!

Mind you, some authorities will have you believe it was Galileo who first (accidentally) saw Neptune in the 1600's. So maybe it ought to be two candles...

Now for the burning controversy which hasn't gone away after over a century. Who gets the credit - Adams or Le Verrier?

[melsky]

Happy Birthday Neptune

Monday 11 July

11:00am - 11:30am

BBC Radio 4

Documentary highlighting how relatively little astronomers and scientists have learned about Neptune. The planet completes one solar orbit on July 12 for the first time since its discovery in 1846, and experts have only been able to study it with advanced telescopic equipment for 40 years, a single Neptunian season. However, the programme speculates that Galileo may have spotted the ice giant 200 years earlier than generally thought, and forensic studies of his work set out to reveal the extent of his knowledge.

Just caught the tail end of this broadcast this morning, sounded very interesting, hopefully it will be available on the iplayer.

Mel

[bish]

Now for the burning controversy which hasn't gone away after over a century. Who gets the credit - Adams or Le Verrier?

Being a visual observer I say give Johann Galle the credit. Or should it be Heinrich D'Arrest??