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Hubble Redefines Uranus’ Day Length: A 28-Second Discovery

In a stunning update from the outer solar system, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has managed to redefine the length of a day on Uranus, revealing that the planet’s rotation is 28 seconds shorter than previously estimated. While this may seem like a small adjustment, in astronomical terms, it’s a significant refinement that deepens our understanding of the dynamics of this tilted ice giant. Uranus has long baffled scientists with its sideways rotation and chaotic magnetic field, and determining its exact rotation has always been a challenge.
Previous measurements were based on data from the Voyager 2 flyby in 1986, but now, thanks to Hubble’s ultraviolet observations and analysis of atmospheric patterns, researchers were able to track long-lived cloud movements across the planet’s surface to arrive at this more accurate number.
The findings reveal that Uranus completes one full rotation in just over 17 hours and 13 minutes, instead of the previously accepted 17 hours and 14 minutes. While that may sound like splitting hairs, these details are essential for refining models of the planet’s interior and magnetic field, which is oddly off-centered and tilted compared to its rotation. This 28-second adjustment may also help scientists better predict weather patterns and seasonal behavior on Uranus, especially given its extreme 98-degree axial tilt that causes bizarre, long-lasting seasons. The discovery is yet another reminder of the precision and power of space telescopes like Hubble, and how even seemingly tiny updates can ripple through our broader understanding of planetary science and solar system evolution. As we continue to explore Uranus and plan future missions to the ice giants, knowing something as simple as the exact length of a day plays a crucial role in decoding the planet’s many mysteries.

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