Scientists were shocked to discover that methane-filled depths are hidden beneath Uranus' blue mantle. This unexpected discovery challenges previous ideas about the distant planet and sheds new light on the giants of the solar system.
Based on previous research, Uranus was thought to consist primarily of hydrogen and helium, with some methane added. However, recent studies have shown that the amount of methane is much higher than previously assumed.
The surprise lies not only in the amount of methane, but also in the fact that the gas is not gaseous, but rather in a frozen or “paste” state, resembling a thick milkshake. This frozen methane is hidden in the planet's core.
A team of researchers made this amazing discovery by analyzing data collected by the Voyager 2 spacecraft. Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft that has visited Uranus so far, in the 1980s. At the time, scientists believed that the planet consisted entirely of ice.
NASA makes an amazing discovery – has the secret of Uranus and Neptune finally been revealed?
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NASA researchers have created hundreds of thousands of models Uranus Interior, and concluded that methane-rich models better fit data on the planet's mass and size. The discovery could revolutionize our understanding of Uranus, suggesting that vast amounts of methane played a major role in the planet's formation.
Much is still unknown about Uranus, as it is located 3 billion kilometers from Earth. Researchers are now working to better understand the presence of methane in the planet's interior and how it affects the structure and evolution of Uranus. Further investigations could help us better understand the giant planets in the solar system, including Neptune, and provide insight into how planets form.
source: Astrom
