Spotlight on Uranus (It's Getting Closer)

Globe and Mail ^ | August 27, 2004 | Michael Kesterton

[Loyalist]

If Uranus seems closer this evening, it is. Today, the planet (its name is pronounced you-rah-nus) is at its closest point to Earth, only 1.77 billion miles away -- 19 times the distance from the Earth to the sun. Patient people with binoculars can find this blue-green world in Aquarius. Some notes:

Once you know which dot of light is Uranus, you might be able to find it with your eyes alone -- but only if you have excellent vision and a clear, dark sky away from city light pollution, says Newsday. Next week, once the moon is out of the way, give it a shot.

In 1781, Sir William Herschel discovered Uranus and named it Georgium Sidus (George's Star) in honour of George III. The French preferred to call the planet Herschel. German astronomer, Johann Bode, Herschel's contemporary, proposed that the mythological associations of the outer planets be continued by naming it Uranus, after the grandfather of Zeus.

At the time of Sir William's discovery, several northern constellations had names that might be associated with politicians or rulers: Gloria Fredrici (the sceptre of Fredrick the Great) and Globus Aerostaticus (the hot-air balloon).

[PatrickHenry]

The more we learn about Uranus, the less I like it.

[dfwgator]

(its name is pronounced you-rah-nus)

Yeah, right!

[boris]

"The planet that dare not utter its name" placemarker.

Interestingly there is a town in the U.S. named after every planet--but one. Clarification: for each planet (save one) there is a town in the U.S. named after that planet.

Reasons: (1) Nobody wants to live in Uranus; (2) Nobody wants to ask directions: "Hey buddy, how do I get to Uranus?"

--Boris

[theFIRMbss]

>Your cracked

[Hatteras]

"Is that the one with the rings?"

If you've got rings on Uranus, you'd better go see a doctor...

[Noumenon]

They'd best keep their spotlight to themselves...

[PatrickHenry]

[longshadow]

Interestingly there is a town in the U.S. named after every planet--but one. Clarification: for each planet (save one) there is a town in the U.S. named after that planet.

Reasons: (1) Nobody wants to live in Uranus; (2) Nobody wants to ask directions: "Hey buddy, how do I get to Uranus?"

This will be small consolation for the residents of Intercourse, PA.

;-)

[PatrickHenry]

Irregular Moons Discovered Around Uranus .

[harrycarey]

Spotlight on Uranus

Isn't that what they're calling the Protologist's convention this year?

Nurse walks into surgery with a beer for the doctor.

"No! I said a BUTT LIGHT."

[harrycarey]

"Moon river..."

[PatrickHenry]

Little known fact: Uranus' blue color is caused by the methane (CH₄) in its atmosphere. Really.

[TSgt]

I'm sorry, I thought this was an article on McGreevy...

[longshadow]

Little known fact: Uranus' blue color is caused by the methane (CH4) in its atmosphere. Really.

Your obsession with this planet, this thread, and methane gas, is duly noted.

;-)

[PatrickHenry]

And your Urano-phobia is noted as well.

[al baby]

This just in

John Kerry says he was in uranus Christmas of 68

[Colonel_Flagg]

Interestingly there is a town in the U.S. named after every planet--but one.

I heard Governor McGreevey was working to change that.

[scott7278]

From what I've heard, it seems that some schools are actually pronouncing it that way, with the emphasis on the "r."