13.1: Exploration
- Page ID
- 112433
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Uranus was the first planet found with a telescope. Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781, even though others might have recorded Uranus prior to Herschel and not realized what they were seeing. Uranus is often referred to as Neptune’s twin, because of similarities in their sizes, colors, and other characteristics.
Uranus rotates on its side. It is believed that this odd rotation is due to a collision with its moon Miranda. The planet shows little atmospheric activity, and actually looks like a green billiard ball. If Uranus has a core at all, it is a very small rocky core.
In its atmosphere, Uranus has more water, ammonia, and methane ices in its atmosphere than Jupiter and Saturn; so it is often referred to as an Ice Giant. It is the coldest planet in the solar system. Like Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus also exhibits aurora activity. The planet has 13 rings, composed of dark particles made of dust to less than a meter in diameter. Uranus has 27 known moons (as of August 2014); not as many as Jupiter or Saturn, but definitely its own system of worlds which orbit the planet.
Uranus at a Glance
Characteristics to Compare
Atmosphere
- Hydrogen (H 2 ), Helium (H e ), Methane (CH 4 ), Ammonia (NH 3 ), Water (H 2 O)
Rotation
- Short rotation — 17. 3 hours retrograde (backwards)
Revolution
- Long revolution — 84. 01 years
Rings
- An intricate system of rings:
- 13 rings total; first 9 found via airborne telescope
Magnetic Field
- Yes, tilted about 45 o . Reason for tilt unknown
Uranus Satellite of Distinction — Chevron; is this possible tectonic activity? Probably collided with Uranus.
Neptune was the first planet discovered through mathematical prediction. Urbain Le Verrier and John Couch Adams predicted the position in 1846. Neptune is smaller than Uranus, but denser. Like Uranus, Neptune is also referred to as an Ice Giant, as well as Uranus’ twin. It too may have a very small rocky core. Neptune also exhibits more atmospheric activity than Uranus. Its Great Dark Spot is a storm similar to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, and about the same size as Earth. Neptune also has atmospheric scooters that are white cloud groups. It was so named because it moved faster than the Great Dark Spot. Its atmosphere sustains the highest winds in the solar system, in excess of 1,200 miles per hour. Like the other Gas Giant planets, Neptune also exhibits aurora activity.
Neptune has five rings, which are composed of dark particles. The rings appear to be broken, more like arcs or ringlets. There are 14 known moons (as of August 2014).
Neptune at a Glance
Characteristics to Compare
Atmosphere
- Rotation
- Revolution
- Rings
- Magnetic Field
- Neptune Satellite of Distinction — Triton (NOT to be confused with Saturn’s moon of the same name); Retrograde (captured moon? ), volcanism; polar caps.
Neptune, showing the Great Dark Spot and ScootersPublic Domain | Image courtesy of NASA. Clouds in the upper atmosphere of NeptunePublic Domain | Image courtesy of NASA. Neptune’s moon TritonPublic Domain | Image courtesy of NASA.
- Neptune Satellite of Distinction — Triton (NOT to be confused with Saturn’s moon of the same name); Retrograde (captured moon? ), volcanism; polar caps.
- Magnetic Field
- Rings
- Revolution