Webb Telescope Unveils 3D Map of Uranus's Atmosphere

Scientists have generated the first three-dimensional map of Uranus's upper atmosphere using data from the James Webb Space Telescope. This advanced imaging technique allowed researchers to observe the planet for nearly its entire rotation, providing a detailed view of its electrically-charged upper atmospheric layer.

The map details the temperature and density of ions within this layer, offering insights into the formation of Uranus's prominent auroras. Two bright auroral bands were identified near the planet's magnetic poles, which are notably lopsided and tilted by approximately 60 degrees, causing auroras to sweep across the surface in complex patterns.

Analysis of the Webb telescope data also confirmed that Uranus's upper atmosphere is continuing to cool, extending a trend observed since the early 1990s. The average temperature recorded was around 426 kelvins, significantly lower than previous measurements. Understanding this cooling phenomenon is key to comprehending how ice giant planets regulate their atmospheric temperatures.

This detailed mapping of Uranus's vertical atmospheric structure is crucial for understanding the energy balance of ice giants and advancing the characterization of exoplanets. Uranus, located over a billion miles from Earth, remains one of the solar system's least explored planets, with recent discoveries including a small moon and new insights into its complex magnetic field and moon-ring interactions.