Uranus

Uranus

Uranus, the third-largest planet in the solar system, has an average temperature of –350° F and does not have a solid surface.

Size: About 4 Earths would fit side by side across the face of Uranus. Its diameter is 31,800 miles (51,100 kilometers), making it the third-largest planet in the solar system. Distance from the Sun: The seventh planet from the Sun, Uranus orbits at a distance of about 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion km), more than 19 times farther than Earth's orbit. Orbit around the Sun: Uranus goes around the Sun once every 84 Earth years. Rotation: Uranus spins on its axis one time every 17 hours. Surface: Uranus does not have solid surface. Atmosphere: The atmosphere of Uranus holds hydrogen (83 percent), helium (15 percent), and methane (2 percent). Methane is what gives Uranus its blue-green color.

Temperature: Uranus is very cold — its average temperature is –350° F (–210° C). Escape velocity: To escape the gravity of Uranus, you need to travel 47,600 miles (76,600 km) per hour, compared to 25,000 miles (40,200 km) per hour necessary to escape Earth's gravity. Other information: Discovered by William Herschel in 1781, Uranus is encircled by 11 narrow rings. The planet's five largest moons are: Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, Oberon, and Miranda. There are at least 22 smaller moons. Uranus is the planet tipped on its side. Uranus spins more like a barrel on its side than a top. This strange tilt may be the result of a collision with another body that tipped Uranus on its side. In mythology, Uranus was the father of Saturn and grandfather of Jupiter.

Related articles