Confirmed: Uranus Really Is Hotter Than It Has Any Right to Be
This conclusion, arrived at by two independent teams of scientists, finally resolves a puzzle that first emerged when Voyager 2 cruised past the stinky planet all the way back in 1986. Those observations suggested that Uranus was not emitting any excess heat – a finding that put it at odds with all the other giant planets in the Solar System.
A team led by planetary scientist Xinyue Wang, formerly of the University of Houston, now at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, has now found that Uranus is emitting around 12.5 percent more heat than it receives from the Sun.
This is consistent with findings about Uranus made by a team led by planetary physicist Patrick Irwin of the University of Oxford in the UK, made available earlier this year on arXiv.
Related: For The First Time, Scientists Have Detected X-Rays Coming Out of Uranus
"This means it's still slowly losing leftover heat from its early history, a key piece of the puzzle that helps us understand its origins and how it has changed over time," Wang says.
"From a scientific perspective, this study helps us better understand Uranus and other giant planets. For future space exploration, I think it strengthens the case for a mission to Uranus."
Previous research has already shown that Voyager 2's flyby occurred at a time when elevated solar activity was making Uranus behave in anomalous ways. It is, therefore, perhaps not surprising to find that other readings made by the probe may have misrepresented the planet's usual state of existence.
However, the findings of Wang's team still suggest that something weird is going on with the planet. Jupiter emits 113 percent, Saturn 139 percent, and Neptune 162 percent more heat than they receive from the Sun. Since Neptune is farther from the Sun than Uranus, the distance can't be an explanation for Uranus's lower internal temperature.
This suggests that there's still something weird happening inside the giant – whether it's a different internal structure, or something about its evolutionary history. This difference, the researchers say, underscores the need to probe our Solar System's overlooked outer planets.
"A future flagship mission to Uranus would provide critical observations to address more unresolved questions of this enigmatic ice giant," they write in their paper.
The research has been published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Related News
Humans Felt The Effects of Weird Space Weather 41,000 Years Ago
Strange 'Fossil' World Detected at Fringes of Solar System
Fuzzy, Large, And Very Old: Everything We Know About Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sharknado? The next generation of hurricane forecasters could be sharks
Researchers are deploying an unlikely ally in the effort to improve hurricane forecasting. Three sharks fitted with sensors are swimming in warm Atlantic Ocean waters to collect critical hurricane data, a contrast to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's usual flying Hurricane Hunters in the skies. 'The ocean is so huge, so enormous, that it's just inaccessible to anything, for the most part,' Aaron Carlisle, a University of Delaware marine ecologist leading the effort, told The Washington Post. 'But by instrumenting the animals that live out there,' he said, 'you can basically turn them into these ocean sensors that are constantly collecting data.' The sharks are collecting information on water conductivity and temperature. Record sea surface temperatures have fueled particularly large and strong hurricanes in recent years. The temperatures are the result of a warming planet and human-caused climate change. It's unclear whether the sharks will ever get close to the cyclones. But, by monitoring the temperature, the scientists can better understand what the U.S. is in for each hurricane season, including where the hurricanes will go and if they're supercharged. Sharks, a keystone species and an apex predator, have a unique access to data that has been hard to get. Weather satellites are unable to see past the ocean's surface and the robotic gliders that scientists send to the continental shelf are effective but slow and expensive to maintain. The tags on the sharks have the ability to collect that data more efficiently. Two mako sharks are tagged to measure temperature, depth, and conductivity. A white shark has a satellite tag to help evaluate if the species could be a good candidate for similar tagging in the future. They may also test hammerheads and whale sharks. 'Sharks are faster than [robotic] gliders. They can stay out for longer periods of time,' Caroline Wiernicki, a shark ecologist and Ph.D student working with Carlisle, told The Post. 'So the hope is that we can have these sharks go out and work in concert' with existing monitors, she said. The research is being led by Carlisle and fellow University of Delaware professor Matt Oliver. They are working with the NOAA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System – the regional arm of the agency's Integrated Ocean Observing System program. In the future, the plan is to tag dozens of sharks a year and feed that data into hurricane computer models. So far, Carlisle told The Post that one of the two sharks has relayed temperature data back to them, but the other has been swimming in water too shallow for the sensor to turn on. The researchers said that they chose the makos because they often return to the surface, allowing the tags to send the data to satellites for the scientists to retrieve. Able to reach swimming speeds of over 40 miles per hour, shortfin makos are the fastest sharks in the ocean. Following a review, NOAA said in 2022 that it would not list them as a threatened or endangered species. They are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Right now, one in three species of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction. Overfishing has driven global shark and ray numbers down by more than 70 percent since the 1970s, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The charity notes that humans kill around 190 sharks per minute and 100 million sharks each year in commercial fisheries. The researchers explained to USA Today that they did not expect the sensors to have much harmful impact on their test subjects and that they undergo a thorough permitting and review process. 'We do everything we can to minimize the impact of puncturing the animals' fins,' Carlisle told The Post. 'We all love the animals, so we don't want to hurt them.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Sharknado? The next generation of hurricane forecasters could be sharks
Researchers are deploying an unlikely ally in the effort to improve hurricane forecasting. Three sharks fitted with sensors are swimming in warm Atlantic Ocean waters to collect critical hurricane data, a contrast to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's usual flying Hurricane Hunters in the skies. 'The ocean is so huge, so enormous, that it's just inaccessible to anything, for the most part,' Aaron Carlisle, a University of Delaware marine ecologist leading the effort, told The Washington Post. 'But by instrumenting the animals that live out there,' he said, 'you can basically turn them into these ocean sensors that are constantly collecting data.' The sharks are collecting information on water conductivity and temperature. Record sea surface temperatures have fueled particularly large and strong hurricanes in recent years. The temperatures are the result of a warming planet and human-caused climate change. It's unclear whether the sharks will ever get close to the cyclones. But, by monitoring the temperature, the scientists can better understand what the U.S. is in for each hurricane season, including where the hurricanes will go and if they're supercharged. Sharks, a keystone species and an apex predator, have a unique access to data that has been hard to get. Weather satellites are unable to see past the ocean's surface and the robotic gliders that scientists send to the continental shelf are effective but slow and expensive to maintain. The tags on the sharks have the ability to collect that data more efficiently. Two mako sharks are tagged to measure temperature, depth, and conductivity. A white shark has a satellite tag to help evaluate if the species could be a good candidate for similar tagging in the future. They may also test hammerheads and whale sharks. 'Sharks are faster than [robotic] gliders. They can stay out for longer periods of time,' Caroline Wiernicki, a shark ecologist and Ph.D student working with Carlisle, told The Post. 'So the hope is that we can have these sharks go out and work in concert' with existing monitors, she said. The research is being led by Carlisle and fellow University of Delaware professor Matt Oliver. They are working with the NOAA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System – the regional arm of the agency's Integrated Ocean Observing System program. In the future, the plan is to tag dozens of sharks a year and feed that data into hurricane computer models. So far, Carlisle told The Post that one of the two sharks has relayed temperature data back to them, but the other has been swimming in water too shallow for the sensor to turn on. The researchers said that they chose the makos because they often return to the surface, allowing the tags to send the data to satellites for the scientists to retrieve. Able to reach swimming speeds of over 40 miles per hour, shortfin makos are the fastest sharks in the ocean. Following a review, NOAA said in 2022 that it would not list them as a threatened or endangered species. They are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Right now, one in three species of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction. Overfishing has driven global shark and ray numbers down by more than 70 percent since the 1970s, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The charity notes that humans kill around 190 sharks per minute and 100 million sharks each year in commercial fisheries. The researchers explained to USA Today that they did not expect the sensors to have much harmful impact on their test subjects and that they undergo a thorough permitting and review process. 'We do everything we can to minimize the impact of puncturing the animals' fins,' Carlisle told The Post. 'We all love the animals, so we don't want to hurt them.'
Geek Vibes Nation
an hour ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
Paramount To Release The Epic Conclusion 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' On 4K UHD Blu-Ray
Paramount Home Entertainment has officially announced that the final installment in the action franchise Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will be available to own on 4K UHD SteelBook, 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD on October 14, 2025. The film will also be available on Digital platforms on August 19th. The film is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and it stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, alongside an ensemble cast including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett. Fans who purchase the film can take a deep dive into the breathtaking production with behind-the-scenes interviews, exclusive commentary, and deleted footage not seen in theatres! Get the details below! Synopsis: Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – The Final Reckoning. Special Features BEHIND THE SCENES Taking Flight— Tom Cruise and director Christopher M c Quarrie take you through the biplanes stunt. Witness them push things to the next level to capture these incredible flight sequences. Tom Cruise and director Christopher M Quarrie take you through the biplanes stunt. Witness them push things to the next level to capture these incredible flight sequences. To The Depths— Dive in with Tom Cruise and director Christopher M c Quarrie to explore every detail of the water tank/moving gimbal, the special masks/water suits, and the rigorous planning and execution of this one-of-a-kind stunt. Dive in with Tom Cruise and director Christopher M Quarrie to explore every detail of the water tank/moving gimbal, the special masks/water suits, and the rigorous planning and execution of this one-of-a-kind stunt. To The North— Journey with the cast and crew to see how they filmed in extreme conditions to create the breathtaking sequence in the high Arctic of Svalbard. Journey with the cast and crew to see how they filmed in extreme conditions to create the breathtaking sequence in the high Arctic of Svalbard. Through the Mine— Explore the Middleton Mine as the team highlights the risks, challenges, and practical elements to pull off this incredible action sequence. Explore the Middleton Mine as the team highlights the risks, challenges, and practical elements to pull off this incredible action sequence. The Score—A behind-the-scenes look at the original music composed for the film. EDITORIAL CONTENT Deleted Footage Montage with Optional Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie— Director Christopher M c Quarrie shares some of the stunning, never-before-seen deleted shots that did not make the final film. Director Christopher M Quarrie shares some of the stunning, never-before-seen deleted shots that did not make the final film. Olifants River Canyon with Optional Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie— Director Christopher M c Quarrie details the difficulties of shooting the dangerous, low level flying sequence through the Olifants River Canyon in South Africa. Director Christopher M Quarrie details the difficulties of shooting the dangerous, low level flying sequence through the Olifants River Canyon in South Africa. Biplane Transfer with Optional Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie and Tom Cruise—Tom Cruise and director Christopher M c Quarrie discuss the challenges of filming the highly technical and extremely dangerous biplane transfer stunt at high altitudes. COMMENTARIES Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie and Tom Cruise— Enjoy a compelling, in-depth discussion with Christopher M c Quarrie and Tom Cruise. Enjoy a compelling, in-depth discussion with Christopher M Quarrie and Tom Cruise. Commentary by Director Christopher M c Quarrie, Editor Eddie Hamilton, and First Assistant Director Mary Boulding— Experience the film with riveting insights and analysis from these acclaimed filmmakers. Experience the film with riveting insights and analysis from these acclaimed filmmakers. Commentary by Composers Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey, and Score Producer Cécile Tournesac—Hear from the artists who enhance the action with thrilling music. PROMO SPOTS Parachute Burn— Watch Tom Cruise earn a Guinness World Record for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual. Snorri Rig Camera— Survival is in the details. See the unique camera set up for Tom as he does his parachute jump. Jump Flip— Witness Tom's epic jump. Long Wing— See Tom hang on to the wing of the biplane mid-flight. STILL GALLERIES Tom Cruise (Biography included) (Biography included) Christopher M c Quarrie Collaboration Supporting Cast ISOLATED SCORE TRACK Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount! Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
