Mid-Infrared Observations of Neptune and Uranus: Recent Discoveries and Future Opportunities

<p>We present the primary results from our recent analyses of mid-infrared observations of Neptune and Uranus from ground-based telescopes, including VLT-VISIR, Subaru-COMICS, and Gemini-TEXES.&#160; We discuss our recent discovery that Neptune&#8217;s stratospheric temperatures appear to be changing dramatically in just the past few years, following decades of cooling. &#160;In contrast, we show that no evidence yet exists of long-term thermal changes in Uranus&#8217; stratosphere, but mid-IR observations of Uranus are still extremely limited. We share new observations from VLT-VISIR, express the need for continued ground-based imaging, and discuss how the James Webb Space Telescope MIRI observations will help greatly advance our understanding of the Ice Giants in the years ahead. &#160;</p>