The Universe Made Simple/The Solar System/Uranus

Uranus

Uranus is the first planet that was discovered in modern times. It was previously disregarded as another star in the sky. A unique feature about Uranus is that the axis is nearly parallel to the ecliptic so the South Pole points almost directly at the sun. However the equator is hotter than at the poles. The blue color of the planet is the result of the absorption of red light. Uranus has 13 known rings which are dark and composed of large particles.

Uranus is made up of rock and various ices. The core is the same as Jupiter and Saturn, and thus similar to other gas planets. Uranus has bands of clouds that blow around rapidly. The atmosphere is 83% hydrogen, 15% helium and 2% methane. The magnetic field is titled almost 60° in respect to the axis of rotation. Uranus has 27 named moons and for respect to the length of this paper, not all will be named.