❓ why
Why does Uranus seem to lie on its side?
Quick Answer
Uranus has an axial tilt of about 98 degrees, probably caused by a massive collision early in its history.
The Full Story
Uranus is tilted so extremely that its rotation axis lies almost in the plane of its orbit, giving it an axial tilt of about 98 degrees. The most likely explanation is that a large impact in the early solar system knocked the planet onto its side. This tilt produces extreme seasons, with each pole getting long periods of sunlight and darkness during Uranus’s 84-year orbit around the Sun. Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby was the first close-up look at this unusual ice giant.
Key Facts
1.Axial tilt is about 98 degrees
2.Uranus orbits the Sun in about 84 Earth years
3.Voyager 2 flew by in 1986
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"One giant planet rolls sideways around the Sun."
Was this answer helpful?
Tap a reaction — it helps us pick what to cover next.