October 4, 2006
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmDark Spot on Uranus
Witness the first confirmed sighting of a dark spot on Uranus. Long hinted at, astronomers have finally observed a giant vortex, roughly 1,100 miles by 1,900 miles in area--two-thirds the size of the United States.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Witness the first confirmed sighting of a dark spot on Uranus. Long hinted at, astronomers have finally observed a giant vortex, roughly 1,100 miles by 1,900 miles in area--two-thirds the size of the United States. They spied the spot by training the Hubble Space Telescope on the planet's northern hemisphere, which recently emerged from shadow into the sunlight. The blotch seems to have formed recently, given that it did now show up earlier this year or in preceding yearly observations. The atmosphere on Uranus has long appeared inactive compared to Neptune, which is similar in size and atmospheric composition but displays many dark spots. The emergence of Uranus into sunlight may herald a new era of activity.
Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism
Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.
When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.
Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber