Le Verrier wrote praising the rigour and lucidity of Galle’s astronomical work, and proposing from his own calculations that a new planet might be found in a specific direction. Encke had previously failed to publish his assistant Galle’s work on Saturn’s rings, and only grudgingly allowed him to use the observatory on the night that he quickly confirmed Neptune’s existence where Le Verrier had suggested. Galle knew Bessel, corresponded with Airy, and helped Humboldt with many calculations needed for his magnum opus, ‘Kosmos.’