By Rajni Pandey | November 13, 2024
Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby saw Uranus under rare conditions that occur only 4% of the time, shaping unique data and insights.
Image Credit: Canva
Scientists were baffled by Uranus’ odd magnetosphere, filled with intense radiation belts, defying expectations.
Image Credit: Canva
A sudden solar wind event compressed Uranus’ magnetosphere, creating unprecedented dynamic space weather around the planet.
Image Credit: Canva
Voyager 2 detected unusually low plasma levels, leading scientists to suspect Uranus’ moons might be inactive.
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The study now suggests Uranus’ icy moons could indeed be geologically active, releasing ions into the magnetosphere.
Image Credit: Canva
Without a clear energy source, Uranus’ radiation belts matched the intensity of Jupiter’s, another planetary enigma.
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If Voyager 2 had arrived just days earlier, Uranus’ magnetosphere might have looked typical, like other planets.
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NASA scientists now view Voyager 2’s data as a one-time snapshot, influenced by unusual cosmic events.
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Voyager 2’s findings hint that Uranus deserves a revisit, prompting NASA to prioritize a dedicated mission by the 2030s.
Image Credit: Canva