Uranus in infrared<\/strong><\/h2>We\u2019re used to seeing Uranus<\/a> as a light blue disc, but the view of the planet through Webb\u2019s infrared<\/a> eye is startlingly different.<\/p>In this new image of Uranus we can see the planet\u2019s seasonal north polar cloud cap, including the white inner cap and a dark lane in the bottom of the polar cap.<\/p>
Webb has also managed to capture a host of bright storms that can be seen near and below the southern border of the polar cap.<\/p>![\"A](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/12\/webb-uranus-widefield-1024x866.jpeg?fit=800%2C677\")
A wide-field view of Uranus captured by the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam instrument. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI<\/figcaption><\/figure>Uranus\u2019s spin and solstice<\/strong><\/h2>Relative to the other planets of the Solar System<\/a>, Uranus spins on its side, which is why we can see its rings face-on (compared to, for example, our view of Saturn\u2019s rings<\/a>).<\/p>It takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to make one orbit of the Sun, and for about a quarter of one Uranus year, the Sun shines over one pole.<\/p>
This plunges the other side of Uranus into a long, dark winter lasting about 21 Earth years.<\/p>
Uranus\u2019s polar cap becomes more prominent as it approaches solstice, as this is when the planet\u2019s pole begins to point toward the Sun and receives more sunlight.<\/p>
Uranus will reach its next solstice in 2028, so studies like this latest Webb capture – and more to follow – give astronomers a chance to track changes in these features.<\/p>
By learning more about the seasonal and meteorological features on Uranus and how they change over time, astronomers hope to be able to untangle the secrets of the planet\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>
In this new image of Uranus we can see the planet\u2019s seasonal north polar cloud cap, including the white inner cap and a dark lane in the bottom of the polar cap.<\/p>
Webb has also managed to capture a host of bright storms that can be seen near and below the southern border of the polar cap.<\/p> Relative to the other planets of the Solar System<\/a>, Uranus spins on its side, which is why we can see its rings face-on (compared to, for example, our view of Saturn\u2019s rings<\/a>).<\/p> It takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to make one orbit of the Sun, and for about a quarter of one Uranus year, the Sun shines over one pole.<\/p> This plunges the other side of Uranus into a long, dark winter lasting about 21 Earth years.<\/p> Uranus\u2019s polar cap becomes more prominent as it approaches solstice, as this is when the planet\u2019s pole begins to point toward the Sun and receives more sunlight.<\/p> Uranus will reach its next solstice in 2028, so studies like this latest Webb capture – and more to follow – give astronomers a chance to track changes in these features.<\/p> By learning more about the seasonal and meteorological features on Uranus and how they change over time, astronomers hope to be able to untangle the secrets of the planet\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>Uranus\u2019s spin and solstice<\/strong><\/h2>