Le Verrier Predicted Neptune Successfully

In 1846, French astronomer and mathematician Urbain Le Verrier analyzed irregularities in Uranus's orbit and calculated the position of an unknown planet whose gravity could explain them. He sent his prediction to German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle at the Berlin Observatory, who searched the indicated region of the sky. Galle found Neptune within one hour of beginning his observations and less than one degree from Le Verrier's predicted position, making it one of history's greatest mathematical predictions.

Previous Fact Next Fact