Every so often, the universe gifts us a moment that’s too good to ignore, both for science and for snarky headlines. NASA’s latest look at Uranus is one of those times.
Thanks to a planetary alignment happening in 2025, researchers will be able to use the Sun like a giant cosmic flashlight, illuminating the mysterious, icy world from behind.
These conditions allow scientists to study the atmosphere in detail. They call this a solar occultation. We call it… a perfect time to stare at Uranus with highly sensitive equipment.
Why Uranus matters (stop laughing)
Sure, it’s the butt of every planetary joke, but Uranus is kind of a big deal.
It’s tilted sideways, so essentially it’s rolling on its axis, not spinning, like Earth. Uranus has a weird magnetic field and is absolutely freezing.
Studying it helps scientists learn more about ice giants in general. Another fun fact, ice giants are the most common type of planet in the known universe.
But the challenge?
Uranus is far, far cold, and not exactly photogenic. Even with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and other space gear, it’s hard to get a clear look.
That’s where this new alignment comes in.
Planetary Scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center, William Saunders, says NASA will use the findings to “determine how energy moves around the atmosphere and what causes the upper layers to be inexplicably hot.”
Sunlight shines right on Uranus
Seriously. I’m not going to stop with the puns. Also, this heading is in no way related to those wellness bros who sun their backsides for “energy alignment” or whatever it’s called…
We’re still talking about the planet. The one in space. With the rings.
In 2025, Uranus will pass directly in front of the Sun from NASA’s point of view, allowing researchers to observe the sunlight as it filters through the planet’s atmosphere.
Think of it like this: if Uranus had bad breath, we’d finally be able to smell it.
More seriously (we’re totally all about seriousness here), this lets scientists figure out what gases are swirling around up there.
They will also get a better understanding of how the atmosphere behaves at different altitudes, and whether the haze we see is just superficial or runs deep.
High-tech probing of Uranus begins
NASA’s airborne observatory SOFIA may have been grounded, but scientists are still prepping high-altitude balloons, ground telescopes, and other instruments for the event.
There’s even a dedicated campaign called URANUS2025. It’s being led by NASA Langley’s science team to get the most out of this celestial moment.
These scientists aren’t just pointing a telescope and hoping for the best.
The atmosphere of Uranus is layered and dynamic, and this kind of occultation gives researchers the chance to measure it in 3D.
Top to bottom, side to side.
Or cheek to cheek, if you prefer. Anyway…
Will we ever go back to Uranus?
We haven’t sent a dedicated mission to Uranus since Voyager 2 zipped past it in 1986.
And considering how much attention we’ve given to Mars (and Jupiter’s moons), it’s time Uranus got a little more love.
With the 2025 occultation on the horizon, scientists are hoping it will spark interest (and funding) for future missions. Maybe even an orbiter that can give us a prolonged, in-depth view of the solar system’s most misunderstood planet.
Until then, NASA will make the most of this window. Because when the chance comes to explore Uranus, you take it.
The featured image above, taken with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, shows 9 of the planet’s 27 moons. Clockwise starting at 2 o’clock, they are: Rosalind, Puck, Belinda, Desdemona, Cressida, Bianca, Portia, Juliet, and Perdita.
