Uranus, the ice giant, may have been misunderstood for nearly 40 years

Uranus, the ice giant, may have been misunderstood for nearly 40 years
Uranus in a photo taken by the Nasa spacecraft Voyager 2 in 1986. (Image: Nasa/JPL-Caltech)
The Washington Post
By Rachel PannettUranus, the third-largest planet in our solar system, has always been something of an enigma.Now, it seems that our understanding of the planet – garnered mostly from a flyby by a Nasa spacecraft nearly 40 years ago – may be flawed.A study published in the journal Nature Astronomy suggests that when Voyager 2 zipped by in 1986, Uranus was in the midst of a rare solar wind event that coloured scientists’ conclusions about the ice giant.“Our understanding of the Uranus system may be more limited than...

More World

Japan’s exports struggle under weight of tariffs
World

Japan’s exports struggle under weight of tariffs

Exports to the US fell nearly 14% from a year earlier.

The troubling rise of inhumane detention centres
World Opinion

The troubling rise of inhumane detention centres

Immigration detention facilities are not supposed to be punitive.

Lamborghini’s noisy play for attention
The Life

Lamborghini’s noisy play for attention

It has a radical aerodynamic shape and a top speed over 200 mph (322kph).

Fve takeaways from the Munich auto show
Technology

Fve takeaways from the Munich auto show

From "flying cars" to robots, here are some of the innovations that were spotted.

AFP 13 Sep 2025