PLANETS & MOONS
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                  
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CATEGORIES
  • SITE MAP
  • COPYRIGHT
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
    •

    entire Web this site



    Uranus, rings

    changes in the appearance of the rings of Uranus from 2001 to 2007
    Infrared images showing the change in appearance of Uranus's rings as seen from Earth.
    Credit: I. de Pater & H. Hammel/Keck Observatory

    Uranus has a faint system of 13 narrow, elliptical-shaped rings, composed of dark dust and rocks up to about 10 meters in diameter. The ring system was discovered in 1977, during an occultation of a star by the planet. As the star first approached and then receded behind the planet it appear to blink off and on – a blinking found to be due to a system of rings. For more pictures of the rings, see Uranus gallery. See also Uranus, moons.


    ring distance from center
    of Uranus (km)    		 width of ring
    (km)    		 eccentricity inclination
    ( ° )
    R/2003 U2 97,700      
    R/2003 U1 66,000      
    Epsilon 51,149 20 to 96 0.00794  
    Lambda 50,024 ~2 0. 0.
    Delta 48,300 3 to 7 0.00004 0.001
    Gamma 47,627 1 to 4 0.00109 0.000
    Eta 47,176 1.6    
    Beta 45,661 5 to 11 0.00044 0.005
    Alpha 44,720 4 to 10 0.00076 0.015
    Ring 4 42,571 ~2 0.001065 0.032
    Ring 5 42,234 ~2 0.00190 0.054
    Ring 6 41,837 1.5 0.00101 0.062
    R/1986 U2 38,000      



    Related category

    Also on this site:

    Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
    Encyclopedia of History
    Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site)


    BACK TO TOP