The atmosphere of
Uranus is 82.5% hydrogen, along with, 15.2% helium,
and 2.3% methane, .
The cloud formations in the upper atmosphere
of Uranus, are believed to consist of ammonia hydrosulfide,
methane and ice crystals.
Uranus is 14 1/2 times as large as our "Earth", however the gravitational pull on Uranus is less than the gravitational pull on Earth. Uranus is primarily covered by an ocean of frozen elements and liquid hydrogen. The planet's surface temperature is estimated to be around minus 350 0 F. Wind speeds on Uranus have been calculated to reach 450 miles per hour.
It takes Uranus the
equivalent of 84 Earth years to complete it's orbit around the
Sun.
A day on Uranus is completed in 17.24 hours. The Spacecraft
"Voyager II" was launched on August 20th, 1977
and passed by Uranus
in January of 1986.
(Eight Years and Five Months Later.)
Uranus has 10 known orbital rings
and 21 moons. Uranus also exhibits a magnetic field similar to
that of Earth.
The orbital tilt of the planet reaches a maximum of 98
Degrees during the 42 year long
seasons on Uranus.
During half of the 84 year cycle the South Pole
points toward the Sun and during the other half, the
North Pole
points toward the Sun, bringing
darkness to the other end of the planet.
This planet, was
discovered by Sir William Herschel, on the 13th day of March in 1781.
Uranus has 21 satellites,
5 major moons and 16 lesser celestial bodies.The 16 other satellites, listed according to their mass are:
Puck * Sycorax * Portia * Juliet * Belinda
* Cressida
Caliban * Desdemona * Rosalind * Bianca *
U10
Ophelia *