NASA scientists uncovered evidence of a cyclone located at Uranus' north pole. They spotted a vortex of warmer air swirling beneath the planet's clouds, challenging the notion that Uranus possesses a relatively inactive atmosphere, as previously assumed after the Voyager 2 spacecraft's flyby in January 1986.
The identification of a polar cyclone on Uranus was made possible by observing thermal emissions in the form of radio waves, Space.com reported. Astronomers utilizing the Very Large Array (VLA) of radio telescopes in New Mexico detected these emissions, providing compelling evidence for the existence of a northern vortex on the planet.
Thermal Emissions in Uranus' North Pole
Polar vortices are commonly found on planets within the Solar System, including Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These vortices are believed to form due to high-altitude atmospheric jet streams, although the specifics vary on each planet.
When Voyager 2 explored Uranus, it detected changes in wind speeds at the planet's south pole, indicating the presence of a polar vortex. However, the spacecraft did not have the opportunity to observe the north pole. Moreover, studying Uranus from Earth has been challenging due to the planet's tilted orbit, which obscures our view of its poles.
However, since 2015, as Uranus has continued its orbit around the sun, the north pole has become more visible during its northern spring. In 2018 and 2022, the Hubble Space Telescope captured images of a distinct smoggy cap over Uranus' north pole, providing the first evidence of a polar cyclone in that region.
According to Science Alert, the data have provided deep insights into the planet's atmosphere. Analysis of thermal emission data revealed that the circulating air at Uranus' north pole exhibited characteristics of a strong cyclone, being both warmer and drier.
Alex Akins, the lead author of a study published in Geophysical Letters and affiliated with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said these observations unveil a more dynamic nature of Uranus, challenging the perception of it being a mere blue gas giant. Akins emphasized that there is much more happening beneath the surface, portraying Uranus as a complex and active world.
Cyclones and Anti-Cyclones Now Detected on All Planets in the Solar System
Comparisons were drawn between the cyclone on Uranus and those observed by the Cassini mission on Saturn. NASA said that this new discovery confirmed that cyclones or anti-cyclones, which rotate in sync or in the opposite direction of their respective planet's rotation, exist at the poles of every planet within our solar system that possesses an atmosphere.
In contrast to hurricanes on Earth, cyclones on Uranus and Saturn have distinct characteristics. Unlike Earth, where hurricanes form over water, neither Uranus nor Saturn has liquid. Additionally, these cyclones remain fixed at the poles instead of drifting. The newfound cyclone on Uranus has attracted significant attention from researchers who are eager to observe its evolution in the coming years.
Alex Akins, a researcher involved in the study, raised questions about the warm core observed and whether it represents a similar high-speed circulation as detected by Voyager. Akins also pondered the possibility of stacked cyclones within Uranus' atmosphere. The ongoing process of unraveling basic aspects of Uranus' atmospheric workings fuels excitement among scientists who aspire to delve deeper into the mysteries of this enigmatic planet.
RELATED ARTICLE: What Causes Jupiter's Polar Cyclones? Juno Links Earth's Oceanography To Jovian Storms
Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.
