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Neptune is the outermost planet in our Solar System (since Pluto has been demoted to dwarf planet). It circles the Sun at a distance of roughly 4.5 billion km, and it takes the planet 164.8 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. Just like the other outer Solar System giants, Neptune's atmosphere contains a lot of hydrogen and helium. However, there is also a very strong presence of ice, water, ammonia and methane. Neptune's diameter is close to 50.000km which is almost four times the diameter of Earth.


The JWST's infrared instruments can highlight features not seen in such detail since the Voyager 2 probe flew past Neptune back in 1989. These features include the rings and dust bands that encircle the ice giant.
Scientists are also intrigued by the different cloud structures, which should tell them something new about the workings of Neptune's atmosphere.
Beyond the planet itself are seven of its' 14 moons, the most significant of which is Triton, which appears star-like in the JWST's imagery:


That's because methane absorption at infrared wavelengths is darkening Neptune in the telescope's view. Triton, on the other hand, reflects about 70% of the sunlight that strikes its icy surface making it very bright.




* If you missed my previous science updates about this glorious invention, check *here*, *here* and *here*.

It's pretty cool, isn't it? :D

wow wow wow wow wow!