Something Has Exploded In a Spectacular Fashion On Uranus

Gizmodo.com ^ | October 30, 2011

[PJ-Comix]

Quit snickering! Something on Uranus has erupted and now scientists are all in a tizzy about what and why it might be.

The news is exciting for a number of reasons. The simplest being we know very little about Uranus, mostly due to its incredible distance form Earth and because it's, well, frankly one of the more "boring" planets out there.

But now, apparently, it's amazing again, all because of a mystery explosion in its atmosphere. Why is the explosion important? Mostly because Uranus's unique axis (on its side), amongst other things:

"The reason we care about the clouds on the planet Uranus is that they seem to be seasonally driven," said planetary scientist Heidi B. Hammel over at MSNBC.com. "Uranus spins tipped over on its side, giving rise to extreme changes in sunlight as its seasons progress. The changes are therefore much more dramatic than for other planets. Uranus thus gives us unique insight into the energy balance in a planetary atmosphere."

Add to that the fact that Uranus's northern hemisphere gets sunlight for 42 straight years while the southern is in darkness and this blue gem of the outer solar system starts to look a little less "boring" with each passing observation.

[PJ-Comix]

Uranus spins tipped over on its side...

Only after heavy drinking.

[irishtenor]

***Something Has Exploded In a Spectacular Fashion On Uranus***

Nope, nope, false alarm. Only a fart.

[spokeshave]

PG&E gas pipe?

[DManA]

Fry: “Hey, as long as you don’t make me smell Uranus.” *laughs*
Leela: “I don’t get it.”
Professor: “I’m sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all.”
Fry: “Oh. What’s it called now?”
Professor: “Urectum. Here, let me locate it for you.”
Fry: “Hehe, no, no, I think I’ll just smell around a bit over here.”

[Kartographer]

PROFESSOR FARNSWORTH: I'm sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all.

FRY: Oh. What's it called now?

PROFESSOR FARNSWORTH: Urectum.

[spokeshave]

Uranians testing a death ray.

[doorgunner69]

Something on Uranus has erupted

Maybe on yours, all is quiet here.
Sounds like you got some bad grub with your el-cheapo coupons??
Be very careful with open flames for a day or so.........

[DManA]

Ha! Beatcha.

[Feline_AIDS]

Time to see the doctor!

[mylife]

Was this it?

[Smokin' Joe]

The simplest being we know very little about Uranus, mostly due to its incredible distance form Earth and because it's, well, frankly one of the more "boring" planets out there.

Hardly. What graduate student would apply for a grant to study Uranus?

...would reply in a job interview when asked what their thesis was on, "Uranus", and expect to get employment?

...would tell perspective girlfriends they were busy "studying Uranus"...

No wonder no one has touched that planet with a 10 foot pole...

[JaguarXKE]

Suddenly the bathroom scene from Dumb and Dumber popped into my head.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Something on Uranus has erupted****

Them planetary emrods are a bitch. A need for Planetary Pazo or Prep-H.

[Nik Naym]

That’s why the proctologist wanted to cauterize those hemorrhoids.

[Tex-Con-Man]

[Allegra]

The news is exciting for a number of reasons. The simplest being we know very little about Uranus, mostly due to its incredible distance form Earth and because it's, well, frankly one of the more "boring" planets out there.

Cool name, though.

[Captain Beyond]

Planet ping.

[bksanders]

Ping, With the mindset of this group, this has gotta become a riot!

…we know very little about Uranus…
…and we intend to keep it just that way!

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Add to that the fact that Uranus's northern hemisphere gets sunlight for 42 straight years ....

Nonsense. The sun never shines on Uranus.

[Impala64ssa]

What does the Starship Enterprise and toilet paper have in common?
They cirle Uranus looking for Klingons. Sorry I couldn't help myself!