In a recently published study in the Journal of Geophysical Research on March 31, 2021, scientists talk about seeing X-rays being transmitted from Uranus for the first time ever.
The study shows two different images of the seventh planet from the sun that were both taken by the Chanda Observatory, with one taken in 2002 and the other in 2017. While the first image shows a distinct spotting of X-rays, the second one depicts what looks to be a possible flare of X-rays on what it thought to be a cryptic, icy and far away planet.
NASA explains that the reason why these X-rays have evolved is “mainly the sun.” Yet, the agency also says, “there are tantalizing hints that at least one other source of X-rays is present.”
“One possibility is that the rings of Uranus are producing X-rays themselves, which is the case for Saturn’s rings. Another possibility is that at least some of the X-rays come from auroras on Uranus, a phenomenon that has previously been observed on this planet at other wavelengths,” it adds.
Notably, X-rays actually give scientists vital insight into the characteristics, on goings, and processes of the universe and all the amazing ways it works. When it comes to Uranus, these particular qualities contain “atmospheric, surface and planetary ring composition.”
Although it’s not the first time that X-ray lights given off by the sun have been seen by astronomers on the planets Saturn and Jupiter, that wasn’t the case for the other arctic-like orbs such as Neptune and Uranus.
NASA is hopeful that by finding out the actual origin of the X-rays seen from Uranus, they’ll have a deeper understanding of how exactly other objects in the galaxies, including those like the mysterious black holes and neutron stars, managed to emit such things as X-rays.
For comparison, the planet Uranus is around four times bigger in diameter than Earth, and as stated above, it’s also the seventh plant from the sun. It’s well known for its unmistakable pair of rings that sit around it’s equator, as well as it’s one-of-a-kind side tilt.
Back in 1986, NASA had gathered quite a lot of information on the planet from their spacecraft, Voyager 2, which has so far been the only craft to manage to fly by the planet. And until now, they are still figuring out new clues and information from the data about Uranus and what makes it tick.
Meanwhile, it was also found out during another mission that the Voyager 2 had flew through a plasmoid, which is a giant magnetic bubble, and in doing so, pinched off a portion of the planet’s atmosphere, forcing it into space.
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