Uranus and Neptune Reveal Their True Colors


New research reveals that the true colors of Uranus and Neptune are not as distinct as commonly depicted. A study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society explains that while Neptune is slightly bluer than Uranus, the difference in shade is not as significant as previously believed. The deep blue attributed to Neptune is a result of artificial enhancement in images from NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft in the 1980s. Advanced instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope and the Very Large Telescope were used to accurately determine the planets' colors, confirming that Uranus is only slightly paler than Neptune due to a thicker layer of aerosol haze. The study also sheds light on the mysterious color shifts of Uranus, which are linked to its extreme seasons and atmospheric methane. The findings aim to correct misconceptions and improve understanding of these distant ice giants.



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