NASA shared new images obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope, 8 years apart, in which the growth
of a gigantic white spot
in the north polar cap of Uranus can be seen, which astronomers associate with the strange planetary orbit and an intriguing activity atmospheric and seasonal on this planet.
NASA shared new images obtained by Hubble, in which the growth of a gigantic white spot is seen in the north polar cap of Uranus (NASA).
Since its axis of rotation is lying with respect to the plane of the orbit of the planet, of 84 years of period around the Sun;
for 42 years
, parts of one of its hemispheres are completely without sunlight, reports
RT.
The image, from 2014, was taken 7 years after the northern vernal equinox, when the sun shone directly on the planet's equator.
Multiple storms with methane ice crystal clouds appear in northern latitudes.
The ring system and
several small storms
and even some bands of faint clouds are also observed, indicates
RT.
The stain keeps growing
In Hubble's latest view, taken in November 2022, the north pole is now seen tilting more toward the Sun. Its north polar cap shows a thick photochemical haze that continues to get brighter year by year
.
Astronomers are unraveling multiple effects, from atmospheric circulation, particle properties and chemical processes, that control how the atmospheric polar cap changes with the seasons, says RT
.
For 42 years, parts of one of its hemispheres are completely without sunlight (NASA).
At Uranus's equinox in 2007, neither pole was particularly bright.
As the northern summer solstice approaches in 2028, the cap may become even brighter and point directly toward Earth, allowing a good view of the rings and north pole;
appearing the front ring system.
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