Above: Uranus.
|
Water Fact File for Uranus |
|
The Bottom Line: |
|
Is Uranus a giant superheated ocean? |
|
|
|
Findings from Dr Kotwicki's 1991 Paper: |
|
Uranus and Neptune are similar in size and supposedly in constitution: Tarbett (1989) says that compositionally speaking they can be considered as giant collections of comets. The three-layer model of these planets features a gaseous atmosphere, a liquid ocean and a rocky core. The two-layer model, preferred after Voyager missions, has a superdense atmosphere containing up to 50% water, and a rocky core. Undoubtedly, the interior of these planets is one of the most intriguing in the Solar System: some theories suggest, for example, a superheated ocean, some 8000 km deep. |
|
|
|
Latest Findings about Water on Uranus: |
|
Below: This diagram highlights the similarities between the composition of Uranus and Neptune. |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please contact our Webmaster with questions or comments. © 1991-2005 Dr Vincent Kotwicki.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |