James Webb Space Telescope captures 1st images of Neptune's elusive auroras

Two views of a pale blue orb dotted with pale green and white splotches.

For the first time, astronomers have captured direct images of Neptune's elusive auroras.

Scientists have long suspected that the distant ice giant hosts shimmering light displays, based on fleeting hints from the Voyager 2 probe's flyby and observations of similar activity on Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Capturing images of Neptune's auroras had remained out of reach until the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb) turned its powerful eye towards the icy planet.