Uranus ⛢

• Discovered in 1781 by William Herschel and his wife Caroline Herschel
  • First planet to be "discovered"
    • All the other planets were always visible
    • Originally was through to be a star when it was observed
• Named after Father Sky
  • The only Greek mythological figure in the planets
• 19 AU from the Sun
• Takes 84 years to orbit the Sun
• Spin axis is tilted by 98˚
  • On its side
  • In the plane of the Solar System
  • Ring and moon system are on the same tilt
• Magnetic field does not line up with its rotational axis
• Rings and moons are in line with its equator
• Seasons are the most extreme in the Solar System
  • One hemisphere will see the Sun for 42 years
  • Due to its tilt

Moons

• 27 known moons
• Largest is 1/2 the size of the Moon
• Inner moons and irregular moons
  • Destroyed moons
  • Captured moons
• Members:
  • Miranda
  • Ariel
  • Umbriel
  • Titania
  • Oberson

Ring System

• Very narrow and black
  • Almost invisible from Earth
• 9 main rings

Space Astronomy Jovian Planet Planet