New Findings Reveal Uranus’ Day Length
Recent analysis of a decade’s worth of data from the Hubble Space Telescope has provided scientists with a more accurate measurement of Uranus’ rotation period. The new findings indicate that a complete rotation of Uranus takes 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 52 seconds—28 seconds longer than previous estimates made by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft. This breakthrough was achieved by studying the planet’s magnetic fields and the radio waves emitted from its auroras, which may prompt a reevaluation of existing surface maps.
Hubble Refines Uranus’ Spin and Orbit Time
The latest study utilizing the Hubble Space Telescope has confirmed that Uranus completes a full rotation in 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 52 seconds. This measurement surpasses the earlier estimate provided by the Voyager 2 mission, which took place in the 1980s. The research team, led by Laurent Lamy from the Paris Observatory, analyzed a decade of aurora observations to refine this understanding. Their findings also revealed that Uranus takes nearly 84 Earth years to complete one orbit around the sun, providing crucial insights into the planet’s rotational dynamics.
Uranus’ Rotation Refined, Aiding Future Exploration
With a day on Uranus lasting significantly longer than on Earth, these precise measurements are expected to facilitate future exploration missions to the gas giant. Unlike Mars and Earth, Uranus is characterized by extreme windstorms, which complicate the task of determining rotation times for the larger planets in our solar system. The initial estimate of Uranus’ spin was based on data collected during Voyager 2’s close approach on January 24, 1986, when researchers noted that the planet’s magnetic field was tilted 59 degrees from celestial north and its rotation axis was offset by 98 degrees.
Uranus Spins Sideways with a 17-Hour Day, Scientists Confirm
The findings also highlight that Uranus rotates “lying down” relative to Earth, causing its magnetic poles to trace a large circle as the planet spins. This unique orientation, combined with a safety margin of plus or minus 36 seconds, led scientists to estimate that Uranus completes a full revolution in approximately 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 24 seconds. By measuring the planet’s magnetic field and the radio emissions from its auroras, researchers have gained a clearer understanding of Uranus’ complex rotational behavior.
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