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James Webb Reveals Stunning Auroras on Neptune

3/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled stunning auroras on Neptune, a first for the planet. These vibrant displays are linked to Neptune's tilted magnetic field, showcasing unusual mid-latitude activity. Observations from June 2023 also revealed the trihydrogen cation (H3+) and noted a significant cooling of Neptune's upper atmosphere since 1989.

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Story summary

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled stunning auroras on Neptune, a first for the planet. These vibrant displays are linked to Neptune's tilted magnetic field, showcasing unusual mid-latitude activity. Observations from June 2023 also revealed the trihydrogen cation (H3+) and noted a significant cooling of Neptune's upper atmosphere since 1989.