LONDON (AP) — It turns out that Neptune and Uranus, the two ice giants of our solar system, are not as visually distinct as previously believed. Recent research led by Professor Patrick Irwin from the University of Oxford has revealed that both planets share a similar shade of greenish-blue. By using modern telescope data to correct historical color misrepresentations, the study challenges previous perceptions of the planets’ colors and provides a more accurate understanding of their true appearance.
For years, Neptune has been associated with a deep azure hue, while Uranus has been depicted as green. However, Professor Irwin’s study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, confirms that both planets actually exhibit a similar greenish-blue color. The misconception arose from the way images taken during the 20th century, including those captured by NASA’s Voyager 2 mission, were processed and combined to create composite color images. In particular, the images of Neptune were often made “too blue” due to stretching and enhancement techniques.
To determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus, the researchers analyzed data from the Hubble Space Telescope’s Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope’s Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE). These instruments provided continuous spectra of colors, allowing the scientists to accurately process the images and capture the planets’ actual appearance.
The study not only corrected historical color inaccuracies but also shed light on the color variations of Uranus during its orbit. By comparing images of the ice giant with measurements of its brightness, the researchers discovered that Uranus appears greener at its solstices when one of its poles is pointed toward the Sun. During its equinoxes, when the Sun is over the equator, the planet takes on a bluer tint. The researchers identified the reflectivity of the polar regions and an icy haze as key factors contributing to these color variations.
Although future exploration of Neptune and Uranus remains a priority for space agencies, the study highlights the importance of Earth-based studies in understanding the planets and their seasonal changes. The accurate representation of their colors contributes to a broader context for future missions and deepens our knowledge of these distant ice giants.
In summary, new research led by Professor Patrick Irwin from the University of Oxford has revealed that Neptune and Uranus share a similar shade of greenish-blue, challenging previous perceptions of their colors. The study used modern telescope data to correct historical inaccuracies in the representation of the planets’ colors. It also provided insights into the color variations of Uranus during its orbit, demonstrating the value of Earth-based studies in understanding these ice giants.