Why does Uranus look so blue-green?
Quick Answer
Methane in Uranus's atmosphere absorbs red light and reflects blue and green light. That gives the planet its pale blue-green colour.
The Full Story
Uranus's upper atmosphere contains methane, which absorbs some of the red wavelengths from sunlight. The remaining light that is scattered back toward us is mostly blue and green, making the planet appear cyan or blue-green. The exact shade also depends on haze in the atmosphere, which can mute the colour. Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781 and is one of the Solar System's ice giants. Its colour is a direct clue to the chemistry of its atmosphere.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Uranus is blue-green because its atmosphere eats red light!"
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