Shakespeare in Space
Explanation:
In 1986, Voyager 2 became the only spacecraft
to explore
ice giant planet Uranus
close up.
Still, this newly released image
from the NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera)
on the James Webb Space Telescope offers a
detailed
look at the distant world.
The tilted outer planet rotates on its axis once in about 17 hours.
Its north pole is presently pointed near our line of sight,
offering direct views of its northern hemisphere and a
faint but extensive system of rings.
Of the giant planet's 27 known moons, 14 are
annotated
in the image.
The brighter ones show hints of Webb's characteristic
diffraction
spikes.
And though these worlds of the outer Solar System
were unknown in
Shakespearean
times,
all but two of the 27 Uranian moons are
named
for characters in the English Bard's plays.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
