Neptunian System Research Paper

This activity is about the main events in New Horizon’s journey to Pluto and beyond.

The history of our solar system is one topic that scientists were able to gain information on due to the Philae mission. “A Success in Space”, an article that reveals the story of the Philae one mission, states, “Researchers consider comets the remains of the ancient solar system.” (Keady 5) This quote shows that comets can be a key to finding more about the remains of the solar system from long ago. Ashley Yeager, the author of the article “Comet probe may shed light on Earth’s past” wrote, “By studying these hunks of rock, dust and ice, scientists hope to better understand the early history of the solar system—including Earth’s early years.” (8) This example proves that scientists hope that comets can help them assimilate more information on the history of our

“Perhaps most important for the science of astronomy is that the discovery of Uranus began the search for other undiscovered planets in our solar system. It was the beginning of a second phase in the discovery of planets, during which Neptune and Pluto were discovered.”

Scientists of the New Horizons mission have found Pluto to be 1,473 miles in diameter, which is larger than many prior estimates. Pluto’s size means that its density is slightly lower and the fraction of ice in its interior is slightly higher. Also, the lowest layer of Pluto’s atmosphere is shallower. They were able to confirm that Pluto’s largest moon, Cheron is 751 miles across as well as the smaller moons Nix is estimated to be about 20 miles across, while Hydra is roughly 30 miles across. Pluto’s even smaller moons, Kerberos and Styx will be determined in later months when the data is transferred to

Astronomers have identified plenty of objects that were circulating the sun farther away from Neptune since the year 1992. According to research, there are more than 70,000 of these small objects named as Trans-Neptunians, which had a diameter that was larger than 100 km. Also, these objects extended from Neptune’s orbit from 30 astronomical units (AU) to 50 astronomical units. There is a thick band in which these Trans-Neptunians were restricted in and this ring was named as the Kuiper Belt. One may ponder what is the significance of the Kuiper Belt? Astronomers believe that the objects within the Kuiper Belt may be the ancient remains from the early stages of development of the solar system.

They used radar/microwave radiometer aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which revealed a turbulent atmosphere that has many similarities with Jupiter than previously realized. The new observations reveal a calm and narrow equatorial belt surrounded by stormy bands just like on Jupiter. Although regions at higher latitudes did show a different character that is unique to Saturn. Recently generated global microwave maps of Saturn exposed detail of a mostly stable atmospheric environment. There were some unpredicted diversity, including arid, desert-like patches in Saturn's atmosphere.

The most dramatic moment in the interplanetary New Horizons spacecraft's nine-plus year mission came today (see video below) when, after a planned, many-hour silence, it phoned home and all systems were confirmed healthy. Thirteen hours after its flyby of the farthest planet in the solar system, Pluto, New Horizons confirmed that all was well and reams of data had been recorded.

The innovation of this NASA space mission was that the voyager 2 probe explored a good amount of information in each system it flew by. It became such a convenience because the probe viewed Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter in interesting detail. The Saturnian system had the most asteroids (17) fly

The average temp is -353 degrees Fahrenheit. (space.com) Does Neptune have an atmosphere? If so what is it mostly composed of? Neptune atmosphere by volume is Molecular hydrogen 80%, Helium 19%, Methane 1.5 %, hydrogen deuteride 192 parts per million 7 ethane 1.5 part per million. (space.com) How many moons does Neptune have and facts about them? Neptune has 14 moons the biggest being Triton which slightly smaller than Earths moon. Triton orbits Neptune backward it is the largest moon to do so. On July 15 the 14th moon was discovered and is temperately called S/2004 N 1. Triton is one of the four moons in the solar system to have an atmosphere. Neptune has seven inner moons Naiad, Despina, Galatea, Larissa, S/2004 N 1 and Proteus. (Space.com) Some interesting facts bout Neptune? Third largest planet dealing with mass. It is also the fourth largest planet dealing with diameter. Has the second largest gravity of any planet. Spins quickly on its axis. Neptune has the strongest winds in the solar system. Its surface gravity is almost like Earths. It’s also the coldest planet in the solar system. It’s a gas like planet. Neptune has five many rings that are Haller, Le Verrier, Lassell, Arago, and

In 1906 Percival Lowell, an American mathematician and Astronomer, initiated a research project to find the infamous “Planet X,” the possible ninth planet. Sadly, Lowell died before completing the project. However, his research captured two pictures of Pluto that no one recognized as the ninth planet. After Lowell's death, the search did not resume until the late 1920’s, when Tombaugh was entrusted with the “PLanet X” project. At the time Tombaugh was 23 and spent a year photographing the night sky and analyzing the images. On February 18th, 1930, Tombaugh discovered a possible moving object in an image taken that Janurary. After this more proof was found that “Planet X” had been discovered (Williams

Their limited telescope technology had peaked and they were unable to see any further. With the new star being found, new telescopes created, it was opened up for more discoveries and open mindedness towards astrology. The discovery of Uranus sparked a renewed interest and search for more planets and other things in our solar system. This was the beginning of the “second phase” in the search for more planets. Most people agree that the discovery by William Herschel was a check point in discovery, with the planets before Uranus being the first phase of discovery and the ones after that being the second

Thesis Statement: With the advances in technology, scientist have opened the door to the discovery of Pluto,

The newest high-resolution eye-candy images of Pluto were released by the New Horizons mission team at a press conference today and, again, they did not disappoint. Details flow in and questions continue to mount as the formerly most-mysterious body in the solar system drops her veils. See below for images and video.

As mentioned earlier, Pluto has a rather unusual orbit. Pluto, while it is the furthest planet from the sun, for twenty years during its two-hundred and forty nine year orbit, it is actually the eighth planet, crossing over Neptune’s orbit. Regardless of the fact that the orbits of the two planets cross, their orbits will not allow for them to ever collide. This is mainly due to Pluto’s orbiting not staying in the elliptic plane. Because of its unusual orbit, Pluto travels above and below Neptune as the cross, avoiding collision. What also allows these two bodies to cross paths and avoid impact is that when Pluto is at one side of the sun, Neptune is at the other. This is a result of Pluto taking three times as long to make one orbit around the sun in comparison to Neptune.

Uncovering the mysteries of Jupiter is a crucial step for a greater understanding of our Solar System. Being the massive planet that it is, this mysterious planet may hold many answers to how our the Solar System formed and evolved. The understanding of the origins of the universe includes answers even to the formation of Earth itself. Many believe that the research of Jupiter will lead to discoveries on planet formation and the role of giant planets on the formation f stars and other smaller bodies. Mysteries of Jupiter include its composition, what is under its clouds, what is in its core and its magnetic field. Research on the amount of water in the planet will tell us about the