NASA's Webb Space Telescope releases new images of Uranus. Glimpses of rarely-seen features, its rings
new images of Uranus. The photographs, taken by NASA’s high-powered James Webb Space Telescope, reveal a stunning look of glowing rings and one rarely-seen feature of Uranus. The icy planet was captured along with its multiple inner and outer rings, nine of its 27 known moons, and a seasonal polar cap. The space telescope was also able to capture a rare glimpse of the 'elusive' Zeta ring, an extremely faint and diffuse ring closest to the planet.
North polar cloud cap captured
NASA's Webb telescope also got snapshots of atmospheric happenings on the freezing planet, including Uranus’ seasonal north polar cloud cap and several storms near it. It was captured at the most opportune time because the polar cap becomes more pronounced when Uranus’ pole shifts towards the sun as it approaches solstice and receives more sunlight.
Groundbreaking new clarity
In a statement, NASA said, «With Webb’s unparalleled infrared resolution and sensitivity, astronomers now see Uranus and its unique features with groundbreaking new clarity.» It added, «These details, especially of the close-in Zeta ring, will be invaluable to planning any future missions to Uranus.»
Scientists to study exoplanets
NASA's photographs are more important because Uranus and its new images will help scientists study nearly 2,000 similarly-sized exoplanets discovered over the last few decades.
The US agency said, «This 'exoplanet in our backyard' can help astronomers understand how planets of this size work, what their meteorology is like, and how they formed.»
13 known rings of Uranus
In a report published on its official website, NASA said that Uranus has 13 known rings and 11 of them are
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