Post Voyager comparisons of the interiors of Uranus and Neptune
Abstract
The recent Voyager flyby of Uranus and Neptune has provided refined values for the gravitational moments and rotation periods of those planets. Using these new parameters, models of the interiors of these planets show that their density distributions are very similar. This lends support to the conjecture that their compositions are similar as well. The models are indeed consistent with such a conjecture. The difference in the internal heat sources of these two planets may be due to the fact that heat transport from the interior of Uranus is inhibited by a statically stable interior.
- Publication:
-
Geophysical Research Letters
- Pub Date:
- September 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1029/GL017i010p01737
- Bibcode:
- 1990GeoRL..17.1737P
- Keywords:
-
- Neptune (Planet);
- Planetary Rotation;
- Planetary Structure;
- Uranus (Planet);
- Voyager Project;
- Ammonia;
- Astronomical Models;
- Gravitational Fields;
- Helium;
- Hydrogen;
- Iron;
- Magnesium Oxides;
- Methane;
- Nickel;
- Planetary Mass;
- Silicon Oxides;
- Water;
- Planetology: Fluid Planets: Interiors