News Planetary Science

Here is the first direct look at Neptune’s rings in more than 30 years

Astronomers haven’t seen the dark rings since Voyager 2 flew past in 1989

Neptune and its rings as seen in infrared by JWST

Neptune and its rings glow in infrared light in this image from the James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Joseph DePasquale/STScI

By Christopher Crockett

Humankind is seeing Neptune’s rings in a whole new light thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope.

In an infrared image released September 21, Neptune and its gossamer diadems of dust take on an ethereal glow against the inky backdrop of space.