The 1846 discovery of Neptune is one of the most remarkable stories in the history of science and astronomy. John Couch Adams and U.J. Le Verrier both investigated anomalies in the motion of Uranus and independently predicted the existence and location of this new planet. However, interpretations of the events surrounding this discovery have long been mired in controversy. Who first predicted the new planet? Was the discovery just a lucky fluke? The ensuing storm engaged astronomers across Europe and the United States. Written by an international group of authors, this pathbreaking volume explores in unprecedented depth the contentious history of Neptune’s discovery, drawing on newly discovered documents and re-examining the historical record. In so doing, we gain new understanding of the actions of key individuals and sharper insights into the pressures acting on them. The discovery of Neptune was a captivating mathematical moment and was widely regarded at the time as the greatest triumph of Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. The book therefore begins with Newton’s development of his ideas of gravity. It examines too the mathematical calculations related to the discovery of Neptune, using new theories and tools provided by advances in celestial mechanics over the past twenty years. Through this process, the book analyzes why the mathematical approach that proved so potent in the discovery of Neptune, grand as it was, could not help produce similar discoveries despite several valiant attempts. In the final chapters, we see how the discovery of Neptune marked the end of one quest—to explain the wayward motions of Uranus—and the beginning of another quest to fill in the map and understand the nature of the outer Solar System, whose icy precincts Neptune, as the outermost of the giant planets, bounds.

Originally published in 1947, this book presents a concise account of the role of John Couch Adams (1819-92) in the discovery of Neptune. Excerpts from Adams' letters are incorporated throughout the text. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in astronomy and the history of science.

In this unique and informative book, renowned astrologer Brad Kronen reveals that the 1846 discovery of the planet Neptune and its subsequent influence on one of the greatest periods of human creativity otherwise known as The Romantic Age are events that cannot be considered as random or chance happenings. Kronen shows these two seminal occurrences which took place during the mid-19th century are both perfect examples of Divine Timing within humanity's evolution. The discovery of the planet Neptune is a point of heated debate right through to the present day and Kronen not only goes over the contending scientists argued over as the planet's rightful discoverer he clearly breaks down the events leading up to the Watery Planet's observational discovery by we Earth folk to clearly show who the undisputed winner is that deserves the laurels of victory.In Part II Brad discusses how soon after Neptune's discovery, the Watery Planet began its transit through its ruling sign of Pisces which in turn brought about the greatest period of creative output the world had ever seen in nearly every form of creative self-expression imaginable otherwise known as the Romantic Age. Kronen emphasizes that another period of time reflects the same Neptunian atmosphere identical to that which occurred during the Romantic Age - the present day.Does modern society experience an entirely new Romantic Age that uniquely reflects 21st century life? Kronen's book informs us that could very well be a part of our world's unfolding future given that Neptune is poised to be Humanity's Muse of inspiration once again.