How have scientists explored Neptune? What do they hope to discover about the planet in the future? Through vibrant photos and STEM highlights on geography, climate, and more, readers will learn all about Neptune.

The 1846 discovery of Neptune is one of the most remarkable stories in the history of science and astronomy. John Couch Adams and U.J. Le Verrier both investigated anomalies in the motion of Uranus and independently predicted the existence and location of this new planet. However, interpretations of the events surrounding this discovery have long been mired in controversy. Who first predicted the new planet? Was the discovery just a lucky fluke? The ensuing storm engaged astronomers across Europe and the United States. Written by an international group of authors, this pathbreaking volume explores in unprecedented depth the contentious history of Neptune’s discovery, drawing on newly discovered documents and re-examining the historical record. In so doing, we gain new understanding of the actions of key individuals and sharper insights into the pressures acting on them. The discovery of Neptune was a captivating mathematical moment and was widely regarded at the time as the greatest triumph of Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. The book therefore begins with Newton’s development of his ideas of gravity. It examines too the mathematical calculations related to the discovery of Neptune, using new theories and tools provided by advances in celestial mechanics over the past twenty years. Through this process, the book analyzes why the mathematical approach that proved so potent in the discovery of Neptune, grand as it was, could not help produce similar discoveries despite several valiant attempts. In the final chapters, we see how the discovery of Neptune marked the end of one quest—to explain the wayward motions of Uranus—and the beginning of another quest to fill in the map and understand the nature of the outer Solar System, whose icy precincts Neptune, as the outermost of the giant planets, bounds.

Did you know that Neptune is the windiest planet in the solar system? Discover more about Neptune in this exciting look at the farthest planet from the sun. Access a downloadable 3D printer model from NASA via Page Plus QR codes.

Introduces the physical characteristics of Neptune, including its orbit, atmosphere, geography, moons, and rings, and describes its nineteenth century discovery and the space probes sent to explore it.

Did you know that there are very strong storms on Neptune? The planet has the fastest winds in the solar system. Find out more in Neptune, a Planets book. This is an AV2 media enhanced book. A unique book code printed on page 2 unlocks multimedia content. This book comes alive with embedded weblinks, audio and video clips, activities, and other features, such as a slide show, matching word activity, and quiz.

Presents information about Neptune, its place in the solar system, and its relationship to other celestial bodies.

Neptune, the farthest planet from our Sun, is a dark and windy planet. How do scientists observe a planet so far away? Young space fans discover Neptune's rings, moons, and ice through bright photos and colorful diagrams.

Because Neptune is so distant, it has been hard to study. This book introduces readers to the mysterious planet farthest from our Sun. Its composition, features, and history, as well as its hostile environment, are explained. The many beautiful illustrations will draw in reluctant readers and budding astronomers alike.

All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book. Learn about the amazing missions to Neptune, the dedicated scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the eighth planet from the Sun.

Stormy Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun. The book explores Neptune’s orbit and rotation, its moons, and its most interesting features, including its rocky rings. Brilliant full color photos accompany easy-to-follow text from the Voyager 2 mission along with detailed illustrations to help bring exploring this faraway planet much closer to home.