Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Telescopes reveal why Neptune is more blue than Uranus
CNN ^ | May 31, 2022 | Ashley Strickland,

Posted on 05/31/2022 1:16:59 PM PDT by BenLurkin

The most distant planets from the sun in our solar system, Neptune and Uranus have similar sizes, masses and atmospheric conditions. Looking at the the two planets side by side, which was made possible after NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft flew by them in the 1980s, Neptune has a bright blue appearance. Uranus is a paler shade of cyan blue.

Astronomers used the Gemini North telescope and NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, both in Hawaii, and the Hubble Space Telescope to create a model that could match up observations of Neptune and Uranus.

The scientists determined that an excess of haze builds up in Uranus' atmosphere, which gives it a lighter appearance. This haze is thicker on Uranus than a similar atmospheric layer on Neptune, so it whitens the appearance of Uranus from our perspective.

Without this haze in either planetary atmosphere, astronomers believe both planets would be almost identically blue. A study detailing the findings published Tuesday in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

New observations from the Gemini North telescope, located near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, were paired with other archival telescope data. The team analyzed three layers of aerosols at different heights on Uranus and Neptune. The middle layer of haze particles is what impacts the color the most.

On both planets, the middle layer is where methane ice turns into methane snow showers. Neptune has a turbulent atmosphere that is more active than Uranus' slow, sluggish one, so the methane particles and snow showers prevent a haze from building up on Neptune.

Scientists believe this model could also help explain why dark spots appear on Neptune, but are less common on Uranus. It's likely due to the fact that the deepest atmospheric layer darkens, which would be more visible on Neptune.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy
KEYWORDS: uranus
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

1 posted on 05/31/2022 1:16:59 PM PDT by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
Extra heat often makes waves exhibit a bluer color (like a blue hot flames). Neptune is closer to the sun and hotter than Uranus.

Unless you live a Brokeback Mountain type lifestyle.

2 posted on 05/31/2022 1:20:01 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

3 posted on 05/31/2022 1:20:09 PM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

So many jokes....


4 posted on 05/31/2022 1:20:10 PM PDT by Hurricane Andrew (There are no evil thoughts except one: the refusal to think.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Neptune is sad because no one says jokes about it.


5 posted on 05/31/2022 1:20:13 PM PDT by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

If Uranus is blue.......oh forget it...it’s to easy


6 posted on 05/31/2022 1:20:20 PM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

UK health authorities have issued new monkey pox warnings, and it’s affecting all the planets.


7 posted on 05/31/2022 1:20:50 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (It's hard to "Believe all women" when judges say "I don't know what a woman is".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tell It Right

Just kidding for the Democrat voters. Neptune is further away. LOL


8 posted on 05/31/2022 1:21:03 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
The scientists determined that an excess of haze builds up in Uranus' atmosphere

Amazing what scientists find.

9 posted on 05/31/2022 1:21:52 PM PDT by xp38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

No comment.🤐


10 posted on 05/31/2022 1:22:05 PM PDT by Leep (Don't say God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Because Jupiter just broke up with her.


11 posted on 05/31/2022 1:23:47 PM PDT by Orosius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: V_TWIN

I hear there a lot of monkeys these with two tone, black and blue. Poor moneys.


12 posted on 05/31/2022 1:23:51 PM PDT by BiglyCommentary
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


13 posted on 05/31/2022 1:25:01 PM PDT by dsrtsage ( Complexity is just simple lacking imagination)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: BiglyCommentary

You spell almost as bad as I do bro. Lol!


14 posted on 05/31/2022 1:27:39 PM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

So predictable.... I wish to apologize to all the Uranians who may be monitoring our broadcasts.


15 posted on 05/31/2022 1:28:37 PM PDT by Telepathic Intruder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: V_TWIN

I do have an excuse... My staff of proof readers, editors, and linguists are still off for the holiday.


16 posted on 05/31/2022 1:30:21 PM PDT by BiglyCommentary
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Telepathic Intruder

Slow Joe said they’re valiantly fighting against the Russians.


17 posted on 05/31/2022 1:33:12 PM PDT by rfp1234 (Comitia asinorum et rhinocerum delenda sunt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Never thought my anus had a hint of blue other than lint.


18 posted on 05/31/2022 1:34:29 PM PDT by fso301
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BiglyCommentary

Tgiving and Xmas must be a beeoch!


19 posted on 05/31/2022 1:40:46 PM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
Just for fun:

Zappa The Radio Is Broken

20 posted on 05/31/2022 1:41:55 PM PDT by real saxophonist (Hoplophobia will never be in the DSM, because the DSM is written by hoplophobes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson