During this period, the research team observed how the southern polar region darkened in the winter, and the northern region brightened with approaching in summer. Observing the planet at four different points over time, at a distance of years, they could see how the gradual shift of the seasons affected the planet. In the upper row he shows how the planet appeared when watching her only apparent airy.
The second row from above is a pseudo -colored picture based on observations of apparent and close infrared airy. Green indicates less methane in the atmosphere than blue, and the red indicates a lack of methane. Lower levels of atmospheric methane on the rocking (which, as remember, are on the sides of the planet instead of its upper and lower) indicate that there is a tiny seasonal variability of methane levels. On the left image in this row the Green South Pole moves into the shadowy. On the other three paintings you can see a green, lower region of North Methane. (The fourth row shows the same lack of methane variability, but without coloring.)
But what about the third government? This shows the estimates of the abundance of aerosol, using apparent images of airy and infrared, which have not been colored. Featherlight areas are overcast with high abundance of aerosol, and the shadowy areas are neat with a low abundance of aerosol. It is noteworthy on these paintings that there Is Seasonal change. The Arctic region was clear at the beginning of spring (in 2002), but it became overcast as the summer progressed (2012–2022). And vice versa, the Antarctica region seems to be cleaned when the fall acted in the winter. The team believes that these seasonal changes are proof that sunlight changes the level of aerosol fog on the planet.
Although the results of this study covers a long 20-year period, it still reflects only one period of seasonal change of Uranus atmosphere. The research team will continue to observe Uranus when the polar regions go to the information seasons to collect more data.
This story originally appeared Wired Japan And it was translated from Japanese.