A fresh image of Uranus taken by the powerful James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST) was recently made public by NASA.
With the help of the potent space observatory, which captured 11 of the
frozen giant's 13 rings in unparalleled resolution, the images reveal a
whole new aspect of the planet.
Images compared side by side once more demonstrate how much more capable
JWST is than NASA's other space observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope, for
infrared imaging.
According to a press release from NASA on April 6, "The Webb data
demonstrates the observatory's unprecedented sensitivity for the faintest
dusty rings, which have only ever been imaged by two other facilities: the
Voyager 2 spacecraft as it flew past the planet in 1986 and the Keck
Observatory with advanced adaptive optics."
Not just the planet was snapped by JWST. The Uranian planetary system,
including six of its brightest moons, was also thoroughly examined.
This image was captured by JWST using a single 12-minute exposure. NASA
anticipates that by reorienting the telescope toward Uranus, JWST will be
able to capture even higher-definition images of our distant friend.
The enigmatic rings of Uranus never cease to amaze
Although this image offers a fresh perspective on the planet, scientists
had previously captured images of Uranus' rings.
When it passed by Uranus in 1986, NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft—which is
still transmitting data 45 years after it was launched—provided information
on the planet's rings.
Two more, fainter rings were discovered by the probe, increasing the total
number of known rings encircling the planet to 11.
Only Voyager 2 and the Keck observatory on Earth were able to observe these
two smaller rings plainly. Although Hubble was unable to detect these rings,
it did discover two additional weak outer rings roughly 20 years ago,
increasing the planet's total number of recognized rings to 13.
As previously reported by Insider, Hubble detects ultraviolet, visible, and
a small portion of infrared radiation, whereas JWST observes the universe
throughout the infrared spectrum.
Due to Webb's significantly bigger mirror, the infrared spectrum of light
utilized to obtain these photographs of Uranus yields higher resolution
images than Hubble's.
On December 25, 2021, JWST was launched, and since then, it has offered
some breathtaking views of the cosmos.
The two dimmer outer rings should be visible to JWST the next time it
focuses on Uranus, according to NASA.
Not just the rings of Uranus are attracting interest.
The JWST picture also offers a clear view of Uranus' enigmatic northern
cap.
A moon the size of Earth may have smashed Uranus off its orbit thousands of
years ago, causing it to tilt around 100 degrees with regard to its orbit
around the sun, making it a slightly peculiar planet.
In other words, the planet seems to revolve sideways as it orbits the
sun.
The length of Uranus' seasons is a result of the planet's 82-year orbital
period around the sun. Every Uranian year, the northern half of the planet
experiences a winter that lasts 21 years.
A polar cap that forms on the side facing the sun is a peculiar
characteristic that arises every summer in Uranian and attracts the
attention of scientists.
NASA stated in the news release that "this polar cap is unique to Uranus"
and that "these Webb data will help scientists understand the currently
mysterious mechanism." The polar cap appears when the pole is exposed to
direct sunlight in the summer and disappears in the fall.
