Uranus is magnitude 5.8 and 3.6 arc seconds in diameter. (Mars is 17.2 arc in diameter on this same night, 18 October 2003 for comparison). We were able to see 4 of the Uranian moons, mag. 14.0 Titania, 14.2 Oberon, 14.4 Ariel and 15.1 Unbriel. Mag. 16 Miranda was not visible, but was situated right next to mag 14.4 Ariel.
Uranus' south polar area was significantly brighter than the rest of the planet. Uranus orbits around the sun in 84 earth years, though its day lasts only 17.24 hours. Uranus is unusual in that its axis is nearly horizontal, rather than largely vertical, with respect to the plane of its orbit. This tilt can make its summer days last for more than 40 Earth years.<
White Oaks Home | Sketches Index | Back | Next