Unveiling Uranus: Solar winds and hidden ocean mysteries
In 1986, humanity gained its first close look into the secrets of Uranus thanks to the Voyager 2 probe. This probe, after a lengthy journey, approached the seventh planet in the Solar System, bringing data that intrigued scientists for years. In particular, the surprising measurements of Uranus's magnetosphere sparked numerous debates and became a mystery that lasted for decades.
Only now, nearly 40 years later, a team of researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, led by Jamie Jasinski, has presented a hypothesis that may change the perspective on past readings.
"National Geographic" reports that when Voyager 2 reached Uranus, it conducted detailed studies of the planet's magnetosphere, which turned out to be completely different from Earth's magnetic field.
On Earth, the magnetic field is symmetrical and nearly parallel to the geographical equator, whereas on Uranus, it is highly asymmetrical, with the magnetic axis tilted at nearly 60 degrees to the planet's rotational axis.
Moreover, the magnetic field's intensity on the southern hemisphere was ten times weaker than on the northern. This kind of asymmetry was completely incomprehensible to researchers and remained a puzzle for many years.
Strange magnetic field. Nature or unusual influence?
For decades, scientists tried to explain the anomalies of Uranus's magnetic field. Complex hypotheses were developed, and some researchers even began to question the accuracy of Voyager's instruments, suggesting they might have been functioning improperly.
It practically invalidates everything – said Jamie Jasinski, suggesting that the data might pertain to an exceptional situation.
The latest analysis of the data conducted by Jasinski's team indicates that the strong solar wind influenced the measurement results, literally compressing Uranus's magnetosphere. This means that Voyager might have observed a temporary condition, atypical for the planet, which lasts only 4% of the total time.
As noted by "National Geographic," this discovery changes the perspective – Uranus's asymmetrical magnetosphere is not the norm, but a rare situation caused by external forces.
Hidden plasma and oceans on the moons? New theories about Uranus
Interestingly, Jasinski's hypothesis also points to a potential source of plasma surrounding Uranus, which Voyager 2 did not detect. Researchers suspect that this plasma may come from two of Uranus's moons – Oberon and Titania.
Until now, these moons were considered geologically dead, but new analyses suggest they may hide oceans, supplying plasma to the planet's magnetosphere.
This new perspective opens the door to further research on Uranus's moons, which may have geological activity. This hypothesis also supports the theory of the existence of liquid oceans within them, which could potentially support microbial life.
Uranus "on its side". Unique position in the Solar System
According to "National Geographic," the magnetosphere is only one piece of the puzzle related to Uranus. This planet is also distinguished by its unusual orientation – it rotates almost lying on its side. This position raises many questions and is the subject of numerous theories.
One hypothesis suggests that a long time ago, Uranus collided with another massive protoplanet, altering its rotational axis. Another theory suggests that Uranus might have had a massive moon, whose gravitational force caused the planet to slowly tilt to its current position.
