A group of 168 scientists from Europe and the United States have submitted a proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA) detailing their desire to explore Uranus. A mission called Uranus Pathfinder is being planned to investigate Uranus’ orbit and to study the planet’s chemistry, rings, and moons. Scientists believe that an investigation of Uranus will help them better understand the evolution of planets in our solar system as well as how other star systems form. Twenty-five years ago, NASA’s Voyager 2 flew past Uranus on its way to Neptune. It provided scientists with a glimpse of Uranus. Scientists are anxious to get a better look at this planet. Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter and Saturn are called gas giants because they are massive planets with thick atmospheres and solid cores. Uranus and Neptune are very different from their gas giant cousins, Jupiter and Saturn. Uranus’s and Neptune’s clouds of atmospheric gases contain water, methane, ammonia, and traces of hydrocarbons whereas Jupiter and Saturn are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Uranus is also called an “ice giant” because it contains large amounts of ice in its atmosphere. There are many mysteries surrounding Uranus that scientists would like to investigate. Uranus’ axis of rotation has an extreme tilt. It appears that Uranus orbits the sun on its side. Scientists are also interested in studying Uranus’ magnetic poles which appear to have a very different magnetic field. Unlike other planets, Uranus generates little heat and it has 27 moons. Scientists believe there is that there is a wealth of knowledge that can be obtained from the study of Uranus.Since Uranus is so far from Earth, a spacecraft to Uranus could take anywhere from 8 to 15 years to reach the planet. Until recently, such an exploration did not seem feasible. The farther away a planet is from Earth, the more difficult and the more expensive it is to get there. Technological advances have made the cost of sending a robotic mission to Uranus more manageable.
I am very interest in seeing if and when the mission to explore Uranus will take place. Since Uranus is so far away from Earth little is know about this planet. I am anxious to see what new information is discovered about Uranus. A mission to Uranus will provide scientists with information to unlock some of Uranus’ mysteries.
By: greendragon
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