Universe& Planets
ice giant

Uranus

The tilted ice giant

Uranus is a pale blue ice giant with an unusual axial tilt of about 98 degrees. Its atmosphere contains methane, which absorbs red light and gives the planet its cyan appearance. It hosts a modest ring system and 28 known moons.

Uranus planet

Key facts

Diameter
50,724 km
Radius
25,362 km
Mass
8.681e+25 kg
Gravity (Earth = 1)
0.889
Density
1.27 g/cm³
Distance from Sun
2,871,000,000 km
Orbital period
30,589 Earth days
Rotation period
-17.24 hours
Average temperature
-195°C
Known moons
28

Values are approximate and based on cited sources.

Atmosphere

  • Hydrogen
  • Helium
  • Methane

Surface

No solid surface; a hazy atmosphere sits above a hot, dense fluid interior.

Internal structure

A small rocky core surrounded by a hot, dense fluid of water, methane, and ammonia ices.

Moons

Uranus has no known moons.

Exploration missions

  • Voyager 2

Sources