How to Find More Information About Uranus

Uranus is the first planet discovered in modern times and is very difficult to observe. This very distant planet has so much to offer to students not only of science, but also of history and mythology, thanks to Greek and Roman legend. The following steps will aid in your search for a wide variety of information about this fascinating planet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet
• Books about astronomy
• Books about Greek and Roman mythology

1. Search science and astronomy Web sites and books to learn about the best-known aspect of Uranus— the fact that it is tipped on its side, thought to be the result of a collision with a planet-sized body early in the solar system's history. Make sure to look for facts about Uranus' atmosphere, surface temperature, mass and orbit.

2. Read up on how the name "Uranus" was proposed for conformity with the other planetary names from classical mythology. Look for information about the planet's place in Greek mythology as the earliest supreme god for the Greeks. Uranus was the son and mate of Gaia, the father of Cronus (Saturn) and of the Cyclopes and Titans (predecessors of the Olympian gods).

3. Look for information about how Uranus was discovered by William Herschel on March 13, 1781 while he was systematically searching the sky with his telescope. Uranus is barely visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions and had actually been seen many times before but ignored as simply another star.

4. Search for information on viewing Uranus. Realize that Uranus is sometimes just barely visible with the unaided eye on a very clear night. It is fairly easy to spot with binoculars if you know exactly where to look. A small astronomical telescope will show a small disk. Use detailed astronomical charts to find it.

5. Search for information on Uranus' appearance. The upper atmosphere contains hazy clouds of frozen water and methane, giving the planet a greenish-blue color. The atmosphere is arranged into clouds running at constant latitudes, similar to the bands seen on Jupiter and Saturn.

6. Read about how Uranus has rings like the other gas planets and were the first ones to be discovered after Saturn's. This was significant because we now know that rings are a common feature of planets, not a peculiarity of Saturn alone.

7. Look for information on Uranus' first visit by Voyager 2 on Jan 24, 1986. Voyager 2 discovered 10 small moons in addition to the 5 large ones already known. Voyager 2 also found Uranus to have a highly skewed magnetic axis which gives Uranus a peculiar magnetosphere.