There's a ring around Uranus!

The Hubble Space Telescope, captured images of glowing dots on Uranus as well as a faint ring. Theses dots are thought to be auroras caused by our Sun’s CME’s.
I assume then that these are the polar regions, and the position of the rings must be an illusion.

Or, that these are not auroras at all, butt something different. Perhaps an atmospheric explosion?

Also, in an era in which we defined Pluto as being a sub-planet or non-planet, you would think we could rename Uranus to something that wouldn’t evoke anal jokes.
And that’s the bottom line.

www.agu.org...

I thought this was already kind of known.

The ring, that is.

Nope, no illusion, Uranus has a ring system Nice images of the auroras though

Originally posted by satron
I thought this was already kind of known.

The ring, that is.

edit on 14-4-2012 by satron because: (no reason given)

Perhaps the the ring, but the polar and magnetic rotation are different. The Hubble was focused at Uranus for this reason.
From AGU," The researchers suspect that the unfamiliar appearance of the newly observed auroras is due to Uranus’ rotational weirdness and peculiar traits of its magnetic axis. The magnetic axis is both offset from the center of the planet and lists at an angle of 60 degrees from the rotational axis – an extreme tilt compared to the 11 degree difference on Earth. Scientists theorize that Uranus’s magnetic field is generated by a salty ocean within the planet, resulting in the off-center magnetic axis. "
Very unique indeed!

I, too, feel the incredible urge to make a completely childish joke.

I will resist. For now.

OP, great photos and interesting information. Can't wait to share the photos with my students (who, being in first grade, will not comprehend any potential jokes).

S&F

Nice pics, didn't know

If people would pronounce the name right, there is no joke

Beautiful picture. I think it's cool Uranus looks like a cue ball. No features at all, just smoooth.

Originally posted by Violater1
The Hubble Space Telescope, captured images of glowing dots on Uranus as well as a faint ring. Theses dots are thought to be auroras caused by our Sun’s CME’s.
I assume then that these are the polar regions, and the position of the rings must be an illusion.

Or, that these are not auroras at all, butt something different. Perhaps an atmospheric explosion?



www.agu.org...

If I were a better more mature man, I would have left that alone.

Alas, it can never be.

Not to be a buzz kill, Uranus is pronounced like; Your in us. (A) is silent, at least in English.

Maybe that is actually funnier.

Listen.