SHARE
Uranus' Rings
Like the other gas planets, Uranus has rings. Like Jupiter's, they are very dark but like Saturn's they are composed of fairly large particles ranging up to 10 meters in diameter in addition to fine dust. There are 11 known rings, all very faint; the brightest is known as the Epsilon ring. The Uranian rings were the first after Saturn's to be discovered. This was of considerable importance since we now know that rings are a common feature of planets, not a peculiarity of Saturn alone. Take a look at the Uranus Rings.
| # | Ring Name |
Inner Edge (x1000km) |
Width (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ζc | 34.9 | 3,500 |
| 2 | 1986U2R | 38.25 | 2,500 |
| 3 | ζ | 39.6 | 3,500 |
| 4 | 6 | 41.8 | 1.6 - 2.2 |
| 5 | 5 | 42.2 | 1.9 - 4.9 |
| 6 | 4 | 42.5 | 2.4 - 4.4 |
| 7 | α | 44.7 | 4.8 - 10 |
| 8 | β | 45.6 | 6.1 - 11.4 |
| 9 | η | 47.1 | 1.9 - 2.7 |
| 10 | ηc | 47.1 | 40 |
| 11 | γ | 47.6 | 3.6 - 4.7 |
| 12 | δc | 48.3 | 10 - 12 |
| 13 | δ | 48.3 | 4.1 - 6.1 |
| 14 | λ | 50 | 1 - 2 |
| 15 | ε | 51.1 | 19.7 - 96.4 |
| 16 | ν | 68 | 3,800 |
| 17 | μ | 94.5 | 17,000 |
Oh, and I almost forgot: Pictures of Uranus' Rings:
Advertisement: