Posted on 08/14/2020 12:14:42 PM PDT by BenLurkin
In a new study, scientists have devised a theoretical computer model and used it to peer inside the ice giants Uranus and Neptune. With this tool, the team studied the thermal and electrical conductivity of the unusual water inside of these planets. In simulating these physical processes on the teeny-tiny atomic scale, the researchers hope that this new model will reveal information about the icy bodies' internal structure, magnetic fields, how they evolved and exactly how old they are.
In studying Uranus and Neptune with this model, the researchers, who stem from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy and the University of California at Los Angeles, estimated that the two planets are likely primarily composed of water in some form and Uranus might even have a frozen core, according to a SISSA statement.
The team looked at three different phases of water that could exist in these planets interiors: ice, liquid and superionic (superionic water exists at extremely high temperatures and pressures.) But, as the researchers explained in the statement, water on (and inside of) an alien planet is far different from water on Earth.
The researchers hypothesize, they explained in the statement, that Uranus might actually have a frozen core. This would explain why the planet isn't very luminous, as a frozen core would mean that very little heat would move towards the planet's surface, according to the statement.
The scientists also found that superionic water in Uranus and Neptune is more electrically conductive than water on Earth, and they think that superionic water could compose a large portion of the dense inner layers of these gas giants. These results further our understanding of exactly how the two bodies are composed and how they came to be, the study suggests.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Indeed. I just clicked for the replies.
after a night at taco bell,,,
Nice compilation!
Hey, Petronski, a Uranus thread!
As you posted in 2002:
“Jokes about Uranus are so juvenile. So why am I laughing out loud? ;) “
That list likely comprises the amount of times I’ve had a colonoscopy, and yes there were a whole lot of gaseous anomalies and aside from one big moon (polyp), a smash a tiny moons whilst my moon was mooning everybody in the room.
Neptune is a satellite radio station the doc listens to and bills you for while they are already scheduling your next camera probe....
Pluto is the sound made by the elevator when it reaches your floor.
:-D
Because they’re not talking about steam, is why.
From Wikipedia:
Superionic water, also called superionic ice or ice XVIII is a phase of water that exists at extremely high temperatures and pressures. In superionic water, water molecules break apart and the oxygen ions crystallize into an evenly spaced lattice while the hydrogen ions float around freely within the oxygen lattice. The freely mobile hydrogen ions make superionic water almost as conductive as typical metals. It is one of the 18 known crystalline phases of ice. Superionic water is distinct from ionic water, which is a hypothetical liquid state characterized by a disordered soup of hydrogen and oxygen ions.
The next planet discovery should be named "Tubi".
Thanks polymuser.
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