Under the bluish atmosphere of the planets Uranus and Neptune, there may be an ocean full of water several thousand kilometers deep. A scientist from the University of California at Berkeley came to such a conclusion in a new article, The New York Times (NYT) pointed out. The theory offers an answer to years of controversy about the unusual magnetic fields of the two outermost planets in the Solar System.
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16:43 November 26, 2024 Share on Facebook
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On the planet Neptune, the ocean may be thousands of kilometers deep, scientists have found (illustrative photo) | Photo: TheSpaceway | Source: Pixabay | CC BY 1.0,©
Uranus and Neptune are also referred to as ice giants, and the idea that there is some form of water there is not new.
American expert Burkhard Militzer has now put forward a theory in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that under the atmosphere of the planets rich in hydrogen and helium is a liquid layer of water and hydrogen, which in the case of Uranus is about 8,000 kilometers deep.
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“We think it’s the ocean,” Militzer said. List NOW notes that this ocean would be under 60,000 times the pressure of the Earth’s surface, so it would behave more like a combination of gas and liquid than water on Earth.
At the same time, Militzer believes that under the water on Uranus and Neptune there is a similarly thick layer of highly compressed liquid composed of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. He reached his conclusion based on a computer model that simulated the conditions on the given planets on five hundred atoms. The result of the simulation of the respective pressure and temperature was the natural formation of separate layers.
“I looked at the model one day and the water was separated from the carbon and nitrogen,” Militzer told the site Berkeley News. “I would say we now have a good theory as to why Uranus and Neptune have very different fields,” he said.
He was referring to the magnetic fields of the planets, which differ from other planets in the Solar System. Voyager 2, which observed Uranus and Neptune more than 30 years ago, revealed the difference.
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It turned out that the ice giants do not have a bipolar magnetic field emanating from the center of the planet like Earth, Jupiter or Saturn, but have it significantly shifted away from the center. The finding suggested that deep inside the two planets there is no convection current that creates a dipolar field.
According to Berkeley News, two scientific teams already offered an answer more than 20 years ago that Uranus and Neptune form layers that don’t mix, preventing convection. Other scientists believed the planets’ interiors were more mixed, according to the NYT. Militzer’s explanation now suggests that the disordered pattern of the magnetic fields is caused by the upper layer of water.
“Until now, we basically knew nothing,” commented planetary scientist Adam Masters of the Imperial College London research university on the new theory. “So this hypothesis is very impressive,” he added.
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(In a dry, witty tone, a la Jimmy Carr) Ah, Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants of our solar system. Because, you know, “ice giant” is just a nice way of saying ” planet with a really, really bad haircut”. (chuckles)
But seriously, folks, scientists have been trying to figure out what’s going on beneath the surface of these two planets for years. And now, thanks to a clever chap from the University of California at Berkeley, we think we might have an answer. (in a mock-excited tone) Oh boy, are you ready for this? There might be an ocean on Uranus and Neptune! (pauses for comedic effect) I know, I know, it’s not exactly a revelation, is it? I mean, who wouldn’t want an ocean on their planet? It’s like the ultimate water feature.
(In a more serious tone, a la Rowan Atkinson) But, of course, this is no ordinary ocean. We’re talking about a liquid layer of water and hydrogen that’s thousands of kilometers deep. That’s deeper than a Black Friday sale at Walmart. (chuckles) And the pressure? Oh boy, it’s like being squished by a giant’s fist. 60,000 times the pressure of the Earth’s surface, to be exact. That’s like trying to hold your breath for, well, forever.
(In a sarcastic tone, a la Ricky Gervais) Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Wow, an ocean on Uranus and Neptune. That’s just what I needed to make my day complete.” (rolls his eyes) I mean, who wouldn’t want to visit a planet with an ocean that’s essentially a giant, cosmic jacuzzi? (smirks) Sign me up for the Uranus and Neptune Timeshare Vacation Club. (chuckles)
(In a more enthusiastic tone, a la Lee Evans) But seriously, folks, this is a major breakthrough. I mean, think about it. We’re talking about two planets that are, like, 4.5 billion kilometers away from us. And yet, we’re able to figure out what’s going on beneath their surface. That’s like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded while eating a bowl of spaghetti. (laughs) It’s a feat of human ingenuity, if you ask me.
(In a dry, witty tone, a la Jimmy Carr) So, there you have it. An ocean on Uranus and Neptune. Because, you know, the universe is just full of surprises. (smirks) Who knows what other secrets these planets are hiding? Maybe there’s a giant, intergalactic game of water polo going on beneath the surface. (chuckles) Stranger things have happened, right?
Scientists Discover Ocean of Water Under Uranus and Neptune
Beneath the blue-gray atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune lies an ocean of water thousands of kilometers deep, according to a theory proposed by a scientist from the University of California at Berkeley, as reported by The New York Times. This groundbreaking theory aims to resolve the long-standing debate surrounding the unusual magnetic fields of the two outermost planets in our Solar System.
Ice Giants Hold Secrets of the Deep
Uranus and Neptune, known as ice giants, have been shrouded in mystery for decades. The notion of water being present on these planets is not new; however, American expert Burkhard Militzer has recently put forth a theory in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that proposes a liquid layer of water and hydrogen beneath the atmosphere rich in hydrogen and helium. In the case of Uranus, this layer is approximately 8,000 kilometers deep.
The Birth of a New Theory
Militzer’s hypothesis suggests that under the water on Uranus and Neptune lies a similarly thick layer of highly compressed liquid composed of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. His conclusion is based on a sophisticated computer model that simulated the conditions on the planets using 500 atoms. The resulting simulation revealed the natural formation of separate layers, defying previous theories.
A Missing Piece in the Magnetic Field Puzzle
Militzer’s groundbreaking research sheds light on the peculiar magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune, which have puzzled scientists for years. Voyager 2’s observations over 30 years ago revealed a significant discrepancy in the magnetic fields of the ice giants, unlike other planets in the Solar System. The ice giants’ magnetic fields do not resemble a bipolar magnetic field emanating from the center of the planet, but rather a significantly displaced field.
A Cloudy Past, a Bright Future
Two scientific teams proposed an explanation for Uranus and Neptune’s magnetic fields over 20 years ago, suggesting that the planets form unmixing layers, preventing convection. Other scientists believed the interiors were more mixed, as reported by the NYT. Militzer’s explanation offers a fresh perspective, suggesting that the disordered pattern of the magnetic fields is caused by the upper layer of water.
Experts Laud the Revolutionary Discovery
Planetary scientist Adam Masters of Imperial College London praises Militzer’s theory, stating, "Until now, we basically knew nothing… So this hypothesis is very impressive." As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of Uranus and Neptune, this groundbreaking discovery paves the way for further research into the unknown territories of our Solar System.
What Lies Beneath: A Cosmic Mystery Unveiled
Burkhard Militzer’s theory has reignited interest in exploring the mysteries of Uranus and Neptune. The concept of a swirling ocean beneath the surface of the ice giants sparks intrigue and raises questions about the possible life forms that may thrive within these mysterious depths.
