Uranus, an extremely cold gas giant, was previously thought not to emit its own heat. However, recent data from a publication in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that it does indeed produce its own warmth. This discovery challenges current understanding of the planet’s origins and may impact future exploration plans.
Contrary to other gas giants like Jupiter, which emits twice as much energy as it receives from the Sun, Uranus’ heat output is significantly lower – about 12.5%. Scientists now believe that Uranus might be retaining heat from its early history, making it a more feasible target for study.
Notably, researchers have discovered that Uranus’ heat emissions vary by season and last for approximately 20 Earth years. This new information lends support to launching a probe mission to the planet, which is slated for one of the most ambitious space missions in the next decade.
The findings offer a fresh perspective on Uranus, highlighting its unique characteristics and potential scientific value. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of this enigmatic planet, further study may reveal even more surprising secrets about our solar system’s most distant giant.
Source: https://universemagazine.com/en/scientists-detect-thermal-radiation-from-uranus