Astronomical overview
Uranus appears blue-green because methane absorbs red wavelengths in its upper atmosphere.
Its extreme axial tilt creates unusual seasonal geometry.
♅ · Ephemerides
Observation date
Uranus
An ice giant with an axial tilt of about 98°, effectively rotating on its side.
- AU
- 19.455
- ECL
- 62.1°
- MAG
- 5.78
01 — Current astronomical data
Parameters and context
- Heliocentric distance
- 19.455 AU
- Ecliptic longitude
- 62.14°
- Ecliptic latitude
- -0.16°
- Apparent magnitude
- 5.78 mag
- Right ascension
- 4 h 10 min
- Declination
- 20.86°
- Altitude above horizon
- 18.4°
- Azimuth
- 79.4°
Astrological meaning
In astrology, Uranus is linked to breakthroughs, innovation and disruption of old patterns.
Mythology
Uranus is the only major planet named directly after a Greek deity, Ouranos, the personification of the sky.
02 — 05
Key facts
- 01It was discovered telescopically by William Herschel in 1781.
- 02It has rings, though fainter than Saturn’s.
- 03It has 27 known moons, many named after Shakespearean characters.
- 04Its magnetic field is significantly offset from the planet center.
- 05Its orbital period is about 30,687 Earth days (~84.0 Earth years).
Parameters and context
- Sidereal day
- 17 h 14 min (retrograde)
- Solar day
- 17 h 14 min
- Year length
- 30,687 days (~84.02 Earth years)
- Rotation speed
- 9,320.0 km/h • -20.89°/h
- Orbital speed
- 6.80 km/s
- Distance from Sun
- 2,872.50 million km
- Diameter
- 50,724 km
- Gravity
- 8.7 m/s²
- Mean temperature
- -195 °C