We present a series of models of Uranus and Neptune in which the relative amounts of (1) rock, (2) ices, and (3) hydrogen and helium are allowed to vary. By fitting the density and the gravitational quadruppole
As scientists developed better instruments, they continued to learn more about the structure and composition of the rings. Saturn has many rings made of billions of particles of ice and rock, ranging in size from a grain of sugar to the size of a house. The particles are believed to be de...
However, objections were raised regarding the specific degree of roundness needed for qualification and the challenges of accurately determining the shapes of distant objects. Some argue for including factors like an object’s location and composition in defining a planet, considering its dynamics and o...
We just do not know how similar Uranus and Neptune really are in terms of composition and structure (Podolak et al., 2000). In addition, Uranus and Neptune have complex multi-polar magnetic fields, and appear to have stronger atmospheric winds than Jupiter and Saturn, if the Voyager rotation...
The explanation of the origin of a magnetic field of Uranus is difficult because the structure of the planet's interior is not well known and the strong thermal flux, which is associated with the operation of hydromagnetic dynamos in Jupiter and Saturn, seems to be absent or very low. We ...
By the end of this section, you will be able to: Discuss the atmospheric composition of the giant planets Describe the cloud formation and atmospheric structure of the gas giants Characterize the giant planets’ wind and weather patterns
NASA has a fleet of spacecraft observing the sun, such as theParker Solar Probe, to learn more about its composition, and to make better predictions aboutspace weatherand its effect on Earth. Related:Solar eclipses: When, where & how to see them ...
Visible-to-near-infrared observations indicate that the cloud top of the main cloud deck on Uranus lies at a pressure level of between 1.2 bar and 3 bar. However, its composition has never been unambiguously identified, although it is widely assumed to be composed primarily of either amm...
C. Debris disks: structure, composition, and variability. Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 56, 541–591 (2018). Article ADS CAS Google Scholar Meng, H. Y. A. et al. Large impacts around a solar-analog star in the era of terrestrial planet formation. Science 345, 1032–1035 (2014). ...
The branch of astronomy that deals with the composition and structure of the planets of the solar system and with the relationships, similarities, and differences between them. plan′e·to·log′i·cal(plăn′ĭ-tl-ŏj′ĭ-kəl)adj. ...