Credit & Copyright: Erich Karkoschka (University of
Arizona Lunar & Planetary Lab) and
NASA
Explanation:
The rings of
Uranus
are thin, narrow, and dark compared to other planetary
ring systems. Brightened artificially by computer, the ring particles
reflect as little light as charcoal, although they are really made of ice
chucks darkened by rock.
This false-color,
infrared picture from the
Hubble Space Telescope taken in
July 1995 shows the rings in conjunction to the planet. The
infrared
light allows one to see detail in different layers of
Uranus' atmosphere,
which has been digitally enhanced with false color.
Three other planets in our
Solar System are known to have rings:
Jupiter,
Saturn, and
Neptune.
Four of
Uranus' moons are visible outside the ring plane. The
rings of
Uranus were discovered from ground-based observations
in 1977.
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.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day