The rotation of Uranus.
Abstract
The rotation rate of Uranus is investigated by measuring the tilts of reflected Fraunhofer lines observed through a slit spectrograph. The data obtained are corrected for the effect of astronomical seeing, and the data-reduction procedures are outlined in detail. Observations are discussed which indicate that the planet's pole of rotation is parallel to the pole of its satellites' orbits and that Uranus may not rotate as a solid body. A rotational period of 15.57 + or - 0.80 hr is derived for northern midlatitudes on Uranus by adopting a planetary diameter of 51,800 + or - 600 km. Possible sources of small systematic errors are briefly considered.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1977
- DOI:
- 10.1086/155613
- Bibcode:
- 1977ApJ...217..680B
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Fraunhofer Lines;
- Planetary Rotation;
- Uranus (Planet);
- Blurring;
- Data Reduction;
- Doppler Effect;
- Limb Darkening;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Standard Deviation;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration