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Uranus

Short answer: Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun, is an ice giant whose rotation axis is tilted about 98 degrees (97.77°) relative to its orbit, so it essentially spins on its side.

Over its 84-year orbit, each pole spends about 42 years in sunlight and then 42 years in darkness, giving it the most extreme seasons of any planet. The cause of the tilt isn't settled; a leading idea is one or more giant impacts early in the solar system's history. Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to have visited, flying past in 1986. The footage shows renderings of Uranus and its rings, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Uranus?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Uranus is tilted about 98 degrees.

    DD-127-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit B (98-degree tilt)

  2. Voyager 2 visited Uranus in 1986.

    DD-127-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit E (One visit)

Video transcript: Uranus: Uranus Rolls Around the Sun on Its Side

Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, possesses a distinctive feature: it rotates on its side. DID YOU KNOW? Unlike most planets in our solar system that rotate on an axis roughly perpendicular to their orbits, Uranus is tilted at an extreme angle of about 98 degrees. This unique axial tilt gives Uranus its peculiar rolling motion, where its poles take turns facing the sun. The exact cause of Uranus' extreme tilt remains a subject of scientific investigation, adding an intriguing aspect to this distant ice giant. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 29.0s Reel ·

Video coming soonUranus · Instagram Reel
Uranus: Uranus Rolls Around the Sun on Its Side Instagram Reel · · 29.0s

The write-up

Uranus rolls around the Sun on its side. Its axis is tilted about 98 degrees.

  1. Exhibit A

    Ice giant

    Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and an ice giant.

  2. Exhibit B

    98-degree tilt

    Its axis is tilted about 98 degrees.

  3. Exhibit C

    Extreme seasons

    Each pole gets about 42 years of sunlight, then 42 of darkness.

  4. Exhibit D

    Unsettled cause

    A leading idea for the tilt is giant impacts.

  5. Exhibit E

    One visit

    Voyager 2 flew past Uranus in 1986.

Questions people ask about Uranus

What kind of planet is Uranus?

Like Neptune.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ice giant) · NASA Science: Uranus; Wikipedia: Uranus

How far is Uranus's axis tilted?

It spins on its side.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (98-degree tilt) · Wikipedia: Uranus

How long is each pole in sunlight?

Its orbit takes 84 years.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Extreme seasons) · NASA Science: Uranus

What might have tilted Uranus?

The cause isn't settled.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Unsettled cause) · NASA Science: Uranus; Wikipedia: Uranus

Which spacecraft visited Uranus?

In 1986.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (One visit) · NASA Science: Uranus

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What kind of planet is Uranus?

    1. Ice giant
    2. Rocky planet
    3. Gas dwarf
    4. Dwarf planet
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ice giant Like Neptune. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ice giant) · NASA Science: Uranus; Wikipedia: Uranus

  2. How far is Uranus's axis tilted?

    1. About 98 degrees
    2. About 23 degrees
    3. Zero
    4. About 45 degrees
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 98 degrees It spins on its side. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (98-degree tilt) · Wikipedia: Uranus

  3. How long is each pole in sunlight?

    1. About 42 years
    2. One day
    3. One year
    4. Forever
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 42 years Its orbit takes 84 years. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Extreme seasons) · NASA Science: Uranus

  4. What might have tilted Uranus?

    1. Giant impacts
    2. Its rings
    3. The Moon
    4. Solar wind
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Giant impacts The cause isn't settled. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Unsettled cause) · NASA Science: Uranus; Wikipedia: Uranus

  5. Which spacecraft visited Uranus?

    1. Voyager 2
    2. Cassini
    3. New Horizons
    4. Pioneer 10
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Voyager 2 In 1986. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (One visit) · NASA Science: Uranus

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Uranus." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-127, last updated Dec 17, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/uranus/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/uranus/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-127-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/uranus/#DD-127-F01