In all, at least 27 moons circle Uranus, with the four largest ranging from Ariel, at 720 miles (1,160 kilometers) across, to Titania, which is 980 miles (1,580 kilometers) across. The work suggests four of the moons hold oceans that could be dozens of miles deep. Their study is the first to detail the evolution of the interior makeup and structure of all five large moons: Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, Oberon, and Miranda. Re-analysis of data from NASA’s Voyager spacecraft, along with new computer modeling, has led NASA scientists to conclude that four of Uranus’ largest moons likely contain an ocean layer between their cores and icy crusts. Insulation and potential heat sources in the moons’ mantles may contribute to maintaining ocean warmth, while antifreeze substances like chlorides, ammonia, and salts are likely abundant in their oceans. New computer modeling and re-analysis of Voyager data suggest that four of Uranus’ largest moons likely have ocean layers between their cores and icy crusts. The work is based on new modeling and explores how oceans could exist in unlikely places in our solar system. A study featuring new modeling shows that four of Uranus’ large moons likely contain internal oceans. Uranus is surrounded by its four major rings and 10 of its 27 known moons in this color-added view that uses data taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1998.
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