how long is a day on uranus

how long is a day on uranus

1 day ago 8
Nature

A day on Uranus-the time it takes for the planet to complete one full rotation on its axis-is approximately 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 52 seconds. This updated and most precise measurement comes from an analysis of 11 years of Hubble Space Telescope data, which refined earlier estimates made by Voyager 2 in 1986 by adding about 28 seconds to the rotation period

. Key points about Uranus' day:

  • The rotation period is about 17 hours and 15 minutes, shorter than Earth's 24-hour day
  • Uranus rotates retrograde, meaning it spins in the opposite direction compared to Earth and most other planets
  • The planet's axis is tilted about 98 degrees, causing it to rotate almost on its side, which leads to extreme seasonal variations
  • This precise measurement helps improve navigation and mission planning for future spacecraft exploring Uranus

In summary, a day on Uranus lasts roughly 17 hours and 15 minutes, making it a fast-spinning planet with a unique axial tilt and rotation direction.

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