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Astronomy - Planet Uranus
Mass: 8.686 X 1025 kg (14.54 Earths)
Radius (equatorial): 25 559 km
Mean density: 1.29 g cm-3
Distance from Sun: 2 870 990 000 km
Rotational period: 17.9 hours
Orbital period: 84.01 years
Escape velocity: 21.30 km s-1
Apparent magnitude: 5.52
Surface temperature: -193°C (cloud)
Atmospheric composition: hydrogen (83%), helium
(15%), methane (2%)
Number of satellites: 15 (Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, Oberon etc.)
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third-largest and fourth most massive planet in the
Solar System. It is named after the ancient Greek deity of the Heavens, the earliest supreme god. Uranus
the father of Kronos (Saturn) and grandfather of Zeus (Jupiter). Though it is visible to the naked eye like
the five classical planets, it was never recognized as a planet by ancient observers because of its dimness
and slow orbit. Sir William Herschel announced its discovery on March 13, 1781, expanding the known
boundaries of the solar system for the first time in modern history. This was also the first discovery of a
planet made using a telescope.
Uranus is similar in composition to Neptune, and both have different compositions from those of the
larger gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. As such, astronomers sometimes place them in a separate category,
the "ice giants". Uranus's atmosphere, while similar to Jupiter's and Saturn's in being composed
primarily of hydrogen and helium, contains a higher proportion of "ices" such as water, ammonia and
methane, along with the usual traces of hydrocarbons. It is the coldest planetary atmosphere in the
Solar System, with a minimum temperature of 49 K (−224 °C). It has a complex, layered cloud structure,
with water thought to make up the lowest clouds, and methane thought to make up the uppermost
layer of clouds. In contrast the interior of Uranus is mainly composed of ices and rock.
Like the other giant planets, Uranus has a ring system, a magnetosphere, and numerous moons. The
Uranian system has a unique configuration among the planets because its axis of rotation is tilted
sideways, nearly into the plane of its revolution about the Sun. As such, its north and south poles lie
where most other planets have their equators. Seen from Earth, Uranus's rings can sometimes appear to
circle the planet like an archery target and its moons revolve around it like the hands of a clock, though
in 2007 and 2008 the rings appeared edge-on. In 1986, images from Voyager 2 showed Uranus as a
virtually featureless planet in visible light without the cloud bands or storms associated with the other
giants. However, terrestrial observers have seen signs of seasonal change and increased weather activity
in recent years as Uranus approached its equinox. The wind speeds on Uranus can reach 250 meters per
second (900 km/h, 560 mph).
8. Uranus is flipped over on its side
Uranus is the only planet to rotate on its side; it rotational tilt is very strong – approximately 97.9°.
Uranus’ unique tilt results in extreme seasonal changes. The planet goes through seasonal cycles of 21
years each. There are 21 years of a normal night and day cycle on Uranus, which is followed by 21 years
of day in the Northern Hemisphere. After another normal 21-year period, there are 21 years of night in the
Northern Hemisphere. Then the planet begins its cycle all over again.
9. And Uranus is the coldest place in the Solar System
Uranus, the second furthest planet from the Sun, is the coldest planet in our Solar System. That distinction
used to belong to Pluto , which was the ninth planet until it was reduced to the status of dwarf planet.
Uranus’ temperature can drop to -224°C, which is less than -371°F. Those kind of drastically cold
temperatures seem unimaginable. Even though it is closer to the Sun than Neptune, it is colder than the
final planet. Uranus’ extreme temperature is a result of its core. Unlike the other planets, Uranus actually
releases less heat than it absorbs from the Sun because its core is much cooler than the cores of the other
planets.