Uranus - what type of planet is it?
Discover what Uranus looks like, its size, temperature, distance from the sun and Earth, its color, moons, rings, and composition. Learn how to pronounce Uranus.
What is its temperature?
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and is classified as an ice giant.
Its diameter is roughly 51,118 kilometers, making it the third-largest planet in our solar system.
To put it into perspective, Uranus is about four times the size of Earth.
What does Uranus look like?
![Uranus as seen by NASA's Voyager 2](https://explainplease.co.uk/content/images/2023/11/Uranus_as_seen_by_NASA-27s_Voyager_2_-28remastered-29_-_JPEG_converted.jpg)
Uranus has a blue-green color, thanks to the presence of methane gas in its atmosphere.
This unique hue sets Uranus apart from the other planets in our solar system.
What is the temperature of Uranus?
![Uranus in True and False Color](https://explainplease.co.uk/content/images/2023/11/PIA00032_Uranus_in_True_and_False_Color.jpg)
Uranus is an extremely cold planet. It has an average temperature of around -224 degrees Celsius.
Uranus is also known for its unique feature - its axial tilt.
Unlike most planets, Uranus rotates on its side, making its axis almost parallel to its orbit.
This peculiar tilt gives rise to extreme seasons that last for several decades.
How many moons does Uranus have?
![Major Moons of Uranus](https://explainplease.co.uk/content/images/2023/11/PIA25500-Uranus-MajorMoons-20230504.jpg)
Uranus has a total of 27 known moons.
The largest ones are named Titania, Oberon, Umbriel, Ariel, and Miranda.
These fascinating moons contribute to the overall beauty and complexity of the Uranian system.
How far is Uranus from the sun?
![The planet Uranus on a black background. The planet appears light blue](https://explainplease.co.uk/content/images/2023/11/STScI-01GWQDPJTF1MY8ZGN4WBMWMACJ.png)
On average, Uranus is approximately 2.8 billion kilometers away from the Sun, which means it takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds for sunlight to reach Uranus.
What is Uranus made of?
When it comes to the composition of Uranus, it is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium gas, with traces of methane, ammonia, and water.
These elements create a dense and gaseous atmosphere that envelopes the planet.
How many rings does Uranus have?
Yes, just like Saturn, Uranus also boasts a beautiful ring system. However, unlike Saturn's prominent and visible rings, Uranus has a faint, dark, and narrow ring system.
It is made up of numerous small particles, and the rings are named in the order of their discovery: 1986U2R, 6, 5, 4, α, β, γ, and δ.
How to pronounce uranus?
Due to the association of its name with a certain body part, some people might hesitate to pronounce it.
The correct pronunciation of Uranus is 'yoo-ra-ness' or 'yoor-uh-nuhs'.
Remember, it's all about the emphasis on the second syllable.