Object Analysis

Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. It has the third-largest planetary radius and fourth-largest planetary mass in the Solar System. It is an ice giant, similar to Neptune. The atmosphere of Uranus is similar to Jupiter's and Saturn's in its primary composition of hydrogen and helium, but it contains more "ices" such as water, ammonia, and methane, along with traces of other hydrocarbons.

It has the coldest planetary atmosphere in the Solar System, with a minimum temperature of 49 K (−224 °C; −371 °F). The planet has a complex, layered cloud structure with water thought to make up the lowest clouds and methane the uppermost layer of clouds. The methane gives Uranus its distinct cyan color.

Uranus is unique because it rotates on its side; its axis of rotation is tilted sideways, nearly into the plane of its solar orbit. Its north and south poles, therefore, lie where most other planets have their equators. It has a ring system and 28 known moons.