1846day.year
Astronomers Urbain Le Verrier, John Couch Adams and Johann Gottfried Galle collaborate on the discovery of Neptune.
In September 1846, mathematicians and astronomers collaborated to pinpoint the position of Neptune, leading to its first observation.
In the mid-19th century, astronomers observed irregularities in Uranus's orbit that hinted at another planet.
Independent calculations by Urbain Le Verrier in France and John Couch Adams in England predicted where to look.
On September 23, 1846, Johann Gottfried Galle at the Berlin Observatory trained the telescope on the predicted region and spotted Neptune.
This marked the first discovery of a planet through mathematical prediction, a triumph of theoretical astronomy.
Neptune's discovery expanded our understanding of the outer Solar System and showcased international scientific cooperation.
1846
Urbain Le Verrier
John Couch Adams
Johann Gottfried Galle
discovery of Neptune