The clearest view of Neptune's rings in decades is captured by a new Webb image.

credit : google

With its first image of Neptune, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope displays its capabilities closer to home.

credit : google

In addition to capturing the most distinct image of this faraway planet's rings in more than 30 years, Webb has also

credit : google

But the ice monster is seen by its cameras in a completely different way.

credit : google

The precise glimpse of the planet's rings, some of which have not yet been discovered, is what stands out most in Webb's latest image.

credit : google

since the 1989 flyby of Neptune by NASA's Voyager 2 made it the first spacecraft to examine the planet.

credit : google

The Webb image vividly displays Neptune's fainter dust bands in addition to many brilliant, thin rings.

credit : google

We haven't seen these flimsy, dusty rings in three decades, and this is the first time we've seen them in infrared.

credit : google

Heidi Hammel is an interdisciplinary scientist with Webb who specialises on the Neptune system.

credit : google

These incredibly weak rings were discovered so near to Neptune because to Webb's exceptionally consistent and accurate image quality.

credit : google

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By Cali Crystal             May 19, 2020

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