Something Unusual Is Happening on Neptune. Even NASA Can't Believe!

Astronomers have discovered something weird happening on Neptune. Nearly all the clouds that decorate its apparent blue atmosphere have disappeared, leaving the far-flung world almost devoid of clouds. Unlike the calm blue sky on Earth, Neptune's sky is constantly changing and full of action. It has some of the fastest winds in our solar system, reaching up to 2000 km/hr or 1200 mi/hr.

These turbulent conditions whip clouds of methane and other gases into a never-ending show, like a dance we can barely see from Earth. But here's the surprising part: lately, all the clouds have seemingly disappeared on Neptune, dramatically changing the appearance of the distant planet. Things took an interesting turn when scientists discovered the reason behind this change: the 11-year solar cycle, whose origin remains a mystery to date.

So, how did astronomers discover the reason behind the disappearance of the Neptunian clouds? How does the Sun, lying 4.4 billion km away, affect the atmosphere of Neptune to such a great extent? Finally, and most importantly, what evidence do we have to support this idea?

The 73rd episode of the Sunday Discovery Series answers all these questions in detail.

RESEARCH PAPER:

[zackzimmer]

Plot twist: Neptune, hasn’t changed we just got more advanced to notice.

[Im_Not_From_Around_Here]

Sun drives every planet's climate.

[cmmittlererminenwerfer]

It only seems weird... because scientists know so little about the universe. We haven't even dipped our big toe into the cosmic ocean, and we know next to nothing about the infinite creation that surrounds us.

[ThisIsMyRealName]

Love this channel I can always count on it being highly informative and engaging 👍

[Phirebirdphoenix]

thank you for saying what is happening within the first minute. it makes me interested to to watch the rest of the video to learn the context of the information.

[carrieandretti]

Incredible! I never realized something like this could happen. Thx for the info!

[zetectic]

Startling to think that the sun can effect Neptune from 4 billion Km away.

[c.rutherford]

0:56 this is of course the Milky Way galaxy. The fact that our Sun and planets are revolving around that "center" has always fascinated me

[cykkm]

Neptune is at unimaginable distance from the Sun, at it's still so strongly affected! Light from the Sun takes 4.3 hours to reach it—for Earth, it's only 8 minutes. Wow!
Neptune is very dark and hard to observe, save with the HST. To me, the image of Neptune with its rings by JWST (at 08:45) has been one of the most stunning one taken in its 2 years!

[PhilipMurphyExtra]

Wow, Neptune is changing for sure nowadays.

[rionasera]

I never thought astronomy could be so interesting to me.

[SamusKerrigan]

Where is this Sunday's episode? I need it

[BrokenhornKT]

What Season is Neptune at this moment? I would think that would have a huge effect on the planet even at the distance from the Sun it is, Epically when its Atmosphere is fill with chemicals that react to solar radiation and were it is in its orbit, I think,

[colonelkurtz]

I just read a book on Helium and i couldn't put it down. 😅

[neilcreamer]

Why haven't scientists considered the electrical interaction between Neptune and the solar wind? Light isn't the only thing impinging on the planet.

[kingderald]

My thing is. Why don’t we have surveillance camera on the planets that are in our neighborhood.

[TRRY_TRRR]

the biggest reason for the lack of similar exploration craft to voyager was the cessation of production of the u238 fuel at the end of the cold war which left a limited supply available for future missions. They only started replenishing the depleted stockpile again in 2015.
With out this type of nuclear fuel source, such long term distant missions cannot maintain sufficient power supply to meet mission needs.

[cecilionembraceofnight]

Another great topic im got thanks prof for having updating latest news about our space and universe❤

[physicsart...]

When will science sphere channel come ?

[MrLewooz]

we should orbit Neptune and Uranus.... technology permitting.... accounting for the distance and the time an order to earth arrive....