Uranus: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 18:37, January 25, 2020
Overview

Uranus is an ice giant composed primarily of volatile materials heavier than hydrogen and helium, such as methane, water, and ammonia, which are known in planetary science as 'ices'. It has no solid surface, instead having a steadily thickening atmosphere composed of hydrogen, helium and methane which gives way to a thick, liquid, ice-rich mantle as depth increases, ending eventually in a solid rocky core. The planet's upper atmosphere is the coldest place known on any of the major planets, with temperatures as low as 49 K (-224 C)
Unusual axis
Uranus is an unusual world in that its axis of rotation is almost parallel to its orbital plane, meaning that it is 'laying on its side'. Because of this, the planet's poles receive more light from the sun than its equator. The cause of this unusual tilt is thought to be from an impact between Uranus and another protoplanet early in the Solar system's history. The Uranian magnetic field is dramatically offset from the planet's center of mass and not aligned with its rotational axis.
In 4587 Uranus has a system of rings that are now visble and are easy to see through the telescope. And shine more than 90% of radiation

