Astronomers have detected X-rays from Uranus for the first time, using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. These results help scientists to learn more about this enigmatic ice giant planet. How amazing is that, isn’t it?
Uranus
Uranus, about four times the diameter of Earth, is the seventh planet from the Sun. It is distantly known for its two sets of rings around its equator and its sideways rotation. This makes it unique among other planets in the solar system.
We all know that Voyager 2 was the only spacecraft to ever fly by Uranus. Astronomers currently rely on telescopes like Chandra and the Hubble Space telescope to learn about this distant and cold planet.
Observations
The study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research examined two visuals of the planet taken by the Chandra observatory in 2002 and 2017. The first observation revealed a clear detection of X-rays. The second revealed a possible flare of X-rays on Uranus.
What could cause Uranus to emit X-rays?
The most likely cause for those X-rays is the Sun. Both Jupiter and Saturn scatter X-ray light given off by the Sun. The scientists initially expected that most of the X-rays detected from Uranus would also be from scattering. But there are tantalizing hints that at least one other source of X-rays is present. One possibility is that the rings of Uranus are providing X-rays themselves which is similar to Saturn’s ring. The other one is that at least some of the X-rays come from the auroras on Uranus, a phenomenon that has previously been observed on this planet at other wavelengths.
X-rays can offer unique insights into the characteristics of the solar system. For Uranus, the research authors said those characteristics can include “atmospheric, surface and planetary ring composition”. X-rays have been detected in most of the planets in the solar system. But it is not there in Uranus and Neptune. The agency said that the planet was particularly interesting because of its unusual orientations of its spin axis and its magnetic field. X-rays coming from the planet could help astronomers better understand how more mysterious objects in space emit X-rays including growing black holes and neutron stars.
Reference: NASA
Also, have a read on: Voyager 2- Celebrating its 43rd year in Space
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