Astronomers at NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory have detected X-rays of the planet Uranus for the first time.
Researchers used observations of the ice giant taken in 2002 and 2017 to detect the radiation as part of a new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research on Tuesday.
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In an investigation and with further analysis, they saw clear detection of X-rays from the first observation and possible flare-up of X-rays of the fifteen years later.
The scientists believe that the sun may be the driving force that causes Uranus to emit the X-rays.
Uranus at approximately the same orientation as during the Chandra observations in 2002. 2017 HRC composite image (credit: X-ray: NASA / CXO / University College London / W. Dunn et al; Optics: WM Keck Observatory)
(NASA)
Astronomers have previously noted that both Jupiter and Saturn scatter X-rays of the sun.
While the authors of the study believe that they believe that the X-rays detected are also from ‘scattering’, there is probably another source of X-rays as well.
Like Saturn, they say, Uranus’ rings themselves can produce the X-rays or even the aurora of the planet – a phenomenon that occurs when high-energy particles interact with the atmosphere.
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“Uranus is surrounded by charged particles such as electrons and protons in its nearby spatial environment,” the Chandra X-ray Observatory wrote in a release. “If these energetic particles collide with the rings, it can cause the rings to glow in X-rays.”
X-rays are also emitted in the earth’s auroras, and Jupiter also has auroras, although X-rays of auroras on Jupiter come from two sources.
However, in an almost identical version of NASA, it is noted that scientists remain uncertain about what causes the auroras on Uranus.
The agency wrote that the unusual orientations of its axis of rotation and magnetic field could cause the planet’s auroras to be ‘unusually complex and changeable’.
The axis of rotation of Uranus is almost parallel to its orbit around the sun – unlike the axes of other planets in the solar system – and while Uranus is tilted on its side, the magnetic field is tiled with a different amount.
“Determining the sources of Uranus’ X-rays can help astronomers better understand how more exotic objects in space, such as growing black holes and neutron stars, emit X-rays,” NASA wrote.
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Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun in the solar system. It has two sets of rings around its equator. Its diameter is four times that of the earth.
Because Voyager 2 was the only spacecraft to ever fly through Uranus, astronomers rely on telescopes like Chandra to learn more about the cold planet, which consists almost entirely of hydrogen and helium.