Webb Telescope Reveals ‘Hidden’ Rings Around Uranus
Wider view of the Uranian system
InternationalIndiaAfricaThe James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most powerful space telescope ever launched, sees the Universe exclusively in infrared and near-infrared, making it perfect for capturing the stretched glow of light that was shed billions of years in our past. The James Webb Space Telescope has captured stunning new images of Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun. Uranus is known for its peculiar characteristics, including an unusual rotation and an icy, gelid appearance. However, when viewed with thermal imaging, scientists can detect the physical properties of Uranus’ faint, icy rings, which were captured by the telescope.© Photo : Space Telescope Science Institute / Zoomed-in image of Uranus
Zoomed-in image of Uranus
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Zoomed-in image of Uranus
© Photo : Space Telescope Science Institute / Zoomed-in image of Uranus (Annotated)
Uranus annotated
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Uranus annotated
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Zoomed-in image of Uranus
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Uranus annotated
The telescope’s infrared and near-infrared sensitivity enables it to reveal a lot about the workings of Uranus. In a brief 12-minute observation, the JWST was able to resolve never-before-seen details of Uranus, including a polar brightening as the planet moves into the full light of the summer Sun. This feature is unique to Uranus, and its cause is still unknown, but scientists hope to use the data captured by JWST to study it in detail.The image also revealed the planet’s clouds, which are linked to storm activity in the predominantly hydrogen and helium atmosphere of the ice giant. Uranus has just over a dozen humble circlets, and JWST imaged 11 of the 13 known rings circling the planet, including the two faint, dusty inner rings that were only discovered when Voyager 2 flew by in 1986. JWST observations in the future will be aimed at capturing the two faint outer rings beyond the main group.
Science & TechJames Webb Telescope Exposes Dawn of Universe Galactic Features8 January, 17:05 GMTIn addition to the rings, the JWST captured six, of Uranus’ 27 known moons, some of which have very different orbits. Uranus has a collection of irregular, much more distant moons that have inclined, elliptical orbits, similar to those of Jupiter’s irregular moons.With future James Webb observations of Uranus ongoing, scientists hope to learn more about this intriguing planet and make a compelling case for sending a probe to study it in detail.
