New study on moons of Uranus raises chance of life
undefined 13, 2024
New research suggests Uranus and its five largest moons may have subsurface oceans, potentially capable of supporting life. This discovery challenges previous assumptions based on Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby, which coincided with a solar storm that distorted Uranus’s magnetic field, leading scientists to mistakenly conclude the moons were inactive. The new analysis reveals that the planet’s magnetic field likely traps gases from geological activity or hidden oceans. NASA is now planning a Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission by 2045 to investigate further, inspired by the prospect of oceans—and perhaps even life—within this icy system.
Read full article
