NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured images of the ice giant Uranus, showcasing its rings, moons, storms, and atmospheric features. The images reveal a dynamic and enigmatic world, with a seasonal polar cap and a faint Zeta ring closest to the planet. The telescope’s infrared sensitivity has allowed astronomers to see a more detailed and intriguing ice world, including a bright, white inner cap and dark lane in the polar cap. The number and frequency of storms on Uranus may be influenced by seasonal and meteorological effects, and astronomers are eager to monitor any changes as the planet approaches its next solstice in 2028. Webb’s findings will aid in understanding Uranus’s complex atmosphere and can provide insights into other similarly sized exoplanets.
https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2023/news-2023-150