👤 whose
Whose calculations first predicted the position of an undiscovered planet from Uranus's motion?
Quick Answer
That prediction was made by Urbain Le Verrier, and independently by John Couch Adams. Their calculations led to the discovery of Neptune in 1846.
The Full Story
In the 1840s, astronomers noticed that Uranus did not move exactly as expected. Urbain Le Verrier in France and John Couch Adams in England independently calculated that an unseen planet's gravity could explain the disturbance. Using Le Verrier's prediction, Johann Galle observed Neptune on 23 September 1846. The discovery was a triumph of mathematical astronomy.
Key Facts
1.Neptune was discovered in 1846
2.Le Verrier and Adams both predicted it mathematically
3.Johann Galle made the observation
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"A planet was found before it was seen—math pointed the way to Neptune."
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