A new study led by UK astronomers found out that we were wrong about the colors of Neptune and Uranus. In the 1980s, pictures from a space mission made Neptune look blue and Uranus green. But now, scientists have discovered that both planets are actually a kind of greenish blue. The earlier pictures of Neptune were changed to show more details of its atmosphere, which made it look blue. The scientists used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to figure this out.

Professor Catherine Heymans, an astrophysics professor at the University of Edinburgh, said that the earlier pictures of Neptune were changed to show more details, which made it look blue. But in reality, Neptune is the same color as Uranus. Professor Patrick Irwin from the University of Oxford, who led the research, explained that most pictures we see of the two planets don’t show their true colors. The earlier pictures were made to look more colorful, but we forgot that they weren’t real.

Scientists often change pictures to see more details, which is normal in their research. The researchers used the original data to create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus. The problem started because the pictures taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft showed the planets in three different colors, which were then combined to make one picture. But when they balanced and enhanced the pictures, Neptune ended up looking bluer than it really is.

The new study used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to show the true colors of Neptune and Uranus. The analysis showed that both planets are a kind of greenish blue, but Neptune has a little more blue because of a thinner haze layer. The study also found that Uranus looks greener in the summer and winter when one of its poles is facing the Sun, and bluer in the spring and autumn when the Sun is over the equator. This research helps us understand the true colors of Neptune and Uranus better. It shows how important it is to look at data from different sources to get a full picture of things in space.

Original news source: Neptune and Uranus seen in true colours for first time (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Have each group read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. Each group can then present their summary to the class.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the words “Neptune” and “Uranus” on the board. Have the students brainstorm and write down as many words as they can think of that are associated with these planets. After a few minutes, have the students share their words with the class and discuss any similarities or differences.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Give them a few minutes to discuss their opinions on the topic of the article: the true colors of Neptune and Uranus. After the discussion, have each group present their opinions to the class and facilitate a class discussion.

– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Write the following words on the board: “blue,” “green,” “pictures,” “research,” “analysis.” Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to come up with as many synonyms as they can for each word. After the time is up, have each group share their synonyms with the class and discuss any new vocabulary they learned.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have the students discuss and make predictions about what other discoveries or changes might be made in the field of astronomy in the future. Encourage the students to use the vocabulary and concepts from the article in their predictions. After the discussion, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class discussion.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did a new study led by UK astronomers discover about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
2. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune make it look blue?
3. What telescopes did the scientists use to gather data for their research?
4. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune and Uranus not show their true colors?
5. Why did the pictures taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft show the planets in three different colors?
6. How did the researchers create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus?
7. What did the analysis of the data show about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
8. How does the research help us understand the true colors of Neptune and Uranus better?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A new study led by UK (1)______ found out that we were wrong about the colors of Neptune and Uranus. In the 1980s, pictures from a space mission made Neptune look blue and Uranus (2)______. But now, scientists have discovered that both (3)______ are actually a kind of greenish blue. The earlier pictures of Neptune were changed to show more details of its atmosphere, which made it look blue. The scientists used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very (4)______ Telescope to figure this out.

Professor Catherine Heymans, an astrophysics professor at the (5)______ of Edinburgh, said that the earlier pictures of Neptune were changed to show more details, which made it look blue. But in reality, Neptune is the same color as Uranus. Professor Patrick Irwin from the University of (6)______, who led the research, explained that most pictures we see of the two planets don’t show their true (7)______. The earlier pictures were made to look more colorful, but we (8)______ that they weren’t real.

Scientists often change pictures to see more details, which is normal in their research. The researchers used the original data to create the most accurate (9)______s of Neptune and Uranus. The problem started because the pictures taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft showed the planets in three (10)______ colors, which were then combined to make one picture. But when they balanced and enhanced the pictures, Neptune ended up looking bluer than it really is.

The new (11)______ used data from the Hubble Space (12)______ and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to show the true colors of Neptune and Uranus. The analysis showed that both planets are a kind of greenish blue, but Neptune has a (13)______ more blue because of a thinner haze layer. The study also found that Uranus (14)______ greener in the summer and (15)______ when one of its poles is facing the Sun, and (16)______ in the spring and autumn when the Sun is over the equator. This research helps us understand the true colors of Neptune and Uranus better. It shows how important it is to look at data from different sources to get a full picture of things in space.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about the fact that the colors of Neptune and Uranus were different from what we originally thought?
2. How would you feel if you found out that something you thought was true for a long time turned out to be wrong?
3. Do you like looking at pictures of space? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about scientists changing pictures to see more details?
5. How important do you think it is to have accurate pictures of planets like Neptune and Uranus?
6. Do you think it’s necessary to use data from different sources to get a full picture of things in space? Why or why not?
7. If you could choose any color for Neptune and Uranus, what color would you choose? Why?
8. How do you think scientists can use the true colors of Neptune and Uranus to learn more about these planets?
9. What is the difference between a greenish blue and a blueish green?
10. How do you think the true colors of Neptune and Uranus were discovered?
11. Do you think it’s important for scientists to continue studying and researching space? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the new study will change our understanding of Neptune and Uranus?
13. Have you ever seen a picture of Neptune or Uranus before? What did you think it looked like?
14. Do you think it’s possible for scientists to make mistakes in their research? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the true colors of Neptune and Uranus will be used in the future?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. astronomers
2. atmosphere
3. astrophysics
4. accurate
5. spacecraft
6. combined
7. balanced
8. enhanced
9. analysis
10. equator
11. poles
12. haze
13. sources
14. mission
15. research

Meanings:
(A) A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space
(B) The branch of science that deals with the physical properties of stars and other objects in space
(C) A detailed examination of the elements or structure of something
(D) Scientists who study stars, planets, and other objects in space
(E) The ends of the axis of rotation of a planet, typically covered in ice
(F) An imaginary line around the middle of a planet, equally distant from the North and South Poles
(G) A light mist or cloud that can make things appear blurry or less visible
(H) The layer of gases surrounding a planet
(I) Places or things that provide information
(J) Having the parts in the correct proportion
(K) Correct and without any mistakes
(L) A planned and organized journey, especially one with a specific purpose
(M) Systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject
(N) Put together to form a single thing
(O) Improved or increased in quality, value, or attractiveness
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did the earlier pictures of Neptune and Uranus make them look like?
(a) Neptune green and Uranus blue
(b) Neptune blue and Uranus green
(c) Neptune and Uranus both blue
(d) Neptune and Uranus both green

2. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune look blue?
(a) Neptune is naturally blue in color
(b) The pictures were enhanced to make it look blue
(c) The pictures were taken in blue light
(d) The pictures were changed to show more details

3. What did the new study use to determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus?
(a) Data from NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft
(b) Pictures taken by UK astronomers
(c) Data from multiple space missions
(d) Data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope

4. What did the analysis in the new study reveal about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
(a) Neptune is blue and Uranus is green
(b) Both planets are a kind of greenish blue
(c) Both planets are green
(d) Neptune is green and Uranus is blue

5. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune and Uranus not show their true colors?
(a) The pictures were taken in black and white
(b) The planets are actually colorless
(c) The pictures were enhanced to look more colorful
(d) The pictures were taken from a far distance

6. How did the researchers create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus?
(a) They used data from multiple telescopes
(b) They enhanced the earlier pictures to show more details
(c) They used the original data from the space missions
(d) They combined the pictures taken by Voyager 2

7. When does Uranus look greener and bluer?
(a) Greener in the summer and winter, bluer in the spring and autumn
(b) Greener in the spring and autumn, bluer in the summer and winter
(c) Greener in the summer and spring, bluer in the winter and autumn
(d) Greener in the winter and autumn, bluer in the summer and spring

8. What does this research teach us about understanding the true colors of Neptune and Uranus?
(a) It is important to look at data from different sources
(b) The true colors of the planets cannot be determined
(c) The earlier pictures were completely inaccurate
(d) The colors of Neptune and Uranus change over time

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The study also found that Uranus looks greener in the summer and winter when one of its poles is facing the Sun, and bluer in the spring and autumn when the Sun is over the equator.
2. The earlier pictures of Neptune were not changed to show more details, which made it look blue, but in reality, Neptune is not the same color as Uranus.
3. Professor Catherine Heymans and Professor Patrick Irwin were not among the UK astronomers who led the research on the true colors of Neptune and Uranus.
4. Scientists have not discovered that the colors of Neptune and Uranus are actually a kind of greenish blue, not blue and green as previously thought.
5. The problem with the earlier pictures occurred because the pictures taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft showed the planets in three different colors, which were then combined to make one picture.
6. This research does not highlight the importance of looking at data from different sources to gain a better understanding of the true colors of Neptune and Uranus.
7. The researchers used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus.
8. The new study showed that both Neptune and Uranus are a kind of greenish blue, but Neptune has a little more blue due to a thinner haze layer.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What did a new study led by UK astronomers discover about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
2. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune make it look blue?
3. How did scientists use data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus?
4. Why did the pictures of Neptune and Uranus taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft show the planets in three different colors?
5. How does the new study help us understand the true colors of Neptune and Uranus better?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What did a new study led by UK astronomers discover about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
The study found that both Neptune and Uranus are actually a kind of greenish blue, contrary to what was previously believed.

2. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune make it look blue?
The earlier pictures of Neptune were changed to show more details of its atmosphere, which made it appear blue.

3. What telescopes did the scientists use to gather data for their research?
The scientists used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope.

4. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune and Uranus not show their true colors?
The pictures were enhanced and balanced, which altered the colors and made them appear more vibrant than they actually are.

5. Why did the pictures taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft show the planets in three different colors?
The pictures were taken in three different colors and then combined to create one image, resulting in a color that did not accurately represent the planets.

6. How did the researchers create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus?
The researchers used the original data from the telescopes to create the most accurate pictures, without enhancing or altering the colors.

7. What did the analysis of the data show about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
The analysis showed that both planets are a kind of greenish blue, but Neptune has a slightly bluer hue due to a thinner haze layer.

8. How does the research help us understand the true colors of Neptune and Uranus better?
The research highlights the importance of using data from different sources to get a more accurate understanding of the true colors of celestial objects. It also provides a clearer picture of the colors of Neptune and Uranus, which were previously misrepresented in earlier images.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) astronomers
(2) green
(3) planets
(4) Large
(5) University
(6) Oxford
(7) colors
(8) forgot
(9) picture
(10) different
(11) study
(12) Telescope
(13) little
(14) looks
(15) winter
(16) bluer
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. astronomers
Answer: (D) Scientists who study stars, planets, and other objects in space

2. atmosphere
Answer: (H) The layer of gases surrounding a planet

3. astrophysics
Answer: (B) The branch of science that deals with the physical properties of stars and other objects in space

4. accurate
Answer: (K) Correct and without any mistakes

5. spacecraft
Answer: (A) A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space

6. combined
Answer: (N) Put together to form a single thing

7. balanced
Answer: (J) Having the parts in the correct proportion

8. enhanced
Answer: (O) Improved or increased in quality, value, or attractiveness

9. analysis
Answer: (C) A detailed examination of the elements or structure of something

10. equator
Answer: (F) An imaginary line around the middle of a planet, equally distant from the North and South Poles

11. poles
Answer: (E) The ends of the axis of rotation of a planet, typically covered in ice

12. haze
Answer: (G) A light mist or cloud that can make things appear blurry or less visible

13. sources
Answer: (I) Places or things that provide information

14. mission
Answer: (L) A planned and organized journey, especially one with a specific purpose

15. research
Answer: (M) Systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did the earlier pictures of Neptune and Uranus make them look like?
Answer: (b) Neptune blue and Uranus green

2. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune look blue?
Answer: (d) The pictures were changed to show more details

3. What did the new study use to determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus?
Answer: (d) Data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope

4. What did the analysis in the new study reveal about the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
Answer: (b) Both planets are a kind of greenish blue

5. Why did the earlier pictures of Neptune and Uranus not show their true colors?
Answer: (c) The pictures were enhanced to look more colorful

6. How did the researchers create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus?
Answer: (c) They used the original data from the space missions

7. When does Uranus look greener and bluer?
Answer: (a) Greener in the summer and winter, bluer in the spring and autumn

8. What does this research teach us about understanding the true colors of Neptune and Uranus?
Answer: (a) It is important to look at data from different sources
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The study also found that Uranus looks greener in the summer and winter when one of its poles is facing the Sun, and bluer in the spring and autumn when the Sun is over the equator. (Answer: True)
2. The earlier pictures of Neptune were not changed to show more details, which made it look blue, but in reality, Neptune is not the same color as Uranus. (Answer: False)
3. Professor Catherine Heymans and Professor Patrick Irwin were not among the UK astronomers who led the research on the true colors of Neptune and Uranus. (Answer: False)
4. Scientists have not discovered that the colors of Neptune and Uranus are actually a kind of greenish blue, not blue and green as previously thought. (Answer: False)
5. The problem with the earlier pictures occurred because the pictures taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft showed the planets in three different colors, which were then combined to make one picture. (Answer: True)
6. This research does not highlight the importance of looking at data from different sources to gain a better understanding of the true colors of Neptune and Uranus. (Answer: False)
7. The researchers used data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to create the most accurate pictures of Neptune and Uranus. (Answer: True)
8. The new study showed that both Neptune and Uranus are a kind of greenish blue, but Neptune has a little more blue due to a thinner haze layer. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧