Uranus System

Uranus structure (Very Large File: 30.9 MB):  The images above start with Uranus' Hill sphere and magnetosphere, showing how large the Hill sphere is relative to its magnetosphere due to its distance from the Sun; the next image shows the unique moon orbital plane that is transverse to the ecliptic and the bow shock of the magnetosphere along with the pointer towards the Sun; the next image shows Uranus' cloud layer, rings and radiation belts; the last image shows Uranus' interior structure. Below is a detailed description: 

Overall 

Our Uranus visualization is scientifically accurate and comprehensive. The code shows detailed layers representing Uranus's core, mantle, cloud layer, upper atmosphere, magnetosphere, ring system, radiation belts, and Hill sphere. The implementation includes educational descriptions, particularly its extreme axial tilt and complex magnetic field geometry.

Core

The core representation (radius fraction 0.2, approximately 20% of Uranus's radius) is scientifically accurate. The description correctly notes it's a relatively small rocky core composed of silicate and metallic iron-nickel with a mass roughly equivalent to Earth's. The temperature estimate of 4,982°C (5,255K) and the resulting golden color choice are scientifically appropriate for these extreme conditions.

Mantle

The mantle visualization (radius fraction 0.7) is accurate. the explanation of the "icy mantle" - not traditional ice but hot, dense fluid containing water, ammonia, and methane under immense pressure - is scientifically correct. The note that this electrically conductive region generates Uranus's unusual magnetic field is accurate, and the temperature range (2,000K outer edge to 5,000K near core) with corresponding color transitions is scientifically sound.

Cloud Layer

The cloud layer description accurately covers the troposphere structure (100 bar to 0.1 bar pressure range), the temperature decrease with altitude (320K to 53K), and the multi-layer cloud composition (water ice, ammonium hydrosulfide, ammonia/hydrogen sulfide, methane ice). The radius fraction of 1.002 correctly represents the 50 km altitude above the 1 bar reference level.

Upper Atmosphere

The upper atmosphere description (radius fraction 1.16) accurately covers the stratosphere extending to ~4,000 km altitude and the thermosphere/exosphere region potentially reaching two Uranus radii from the center. The explanation of the atmospheric composition (83% hydrogen, 15% helium, 2.3% methane) and the methane's role in Uranus's blue-green color is scientifically correct. The note about extremely cold temperatures (49K, making it the coldest planetary atmosphere) is accurate.

Ring System

The ring system implementation is detailed and scientifically accurate:

Main Rings (narrow, dark):

• Ring 6: 41,800-41,802 km, 2 km thick, very narrow and faint

• Ring 5: 42,200-42,207 km, 2-7 km thick

• Ring 4: 42,600-42,603 km, 3 km thick, very faint

• Alpha Ring: 44,700-44,710 km, 4-10 km thick, shows brightness variations

• Beta Ring: 44,700-45,711 km, 5-11 km thick, can be brighter than Alpha

• Eta Ring: 47,200-47,202 km, 2 km thick, has dusty component

• Gamma Ring: 47,600-47,604 km, 1-4 km thick, shows structure

• Delta Ring: 48,300-48,307 km, 3-7 km thick, width/brightness variations

• Epsilon Ring: 51,100-51,190 km, 20-100 km thick, widest main ring

Outer Rings (broad, dusty):

• Nu Gossamer Ring: 62,000-97,700 km, reddish, associated with moon Portia

• Mu Gossamer Ring: 86,000-102,000 km, bluish, associated with moon Mab

Radiation Belts

The radiation belt visualization is scientifically accurate with two distinct belts:

• Inner Belt: 1-3 Uranus radii (primarily protons, relatively weak)

• Outer Belt: 3-10 Uranus radii (primarily electrons, surprisingly intense)

The description correctly notes that electron belts are comparable to Earth's intensity and much stronger than Saturn's, while proton belts are weaker than expected. The complex tilt application properly accounts for Uranus's unique orientation.

Magnetosphere

The Uranus magnetosphere visualization is scientifically accurate and captures the unique complexity:

• Magnetic Axis Tilt: Correctly described as ~60° relative to rotational axis

• Magnetic Field Offset: Accurately noted as offset by about 1/3 of Uranus's radius from center

• Asymmetric Structure: Properly described as highly distorted and asymmetric

• Size Parameters: Sunward distance (21 Ru), equatorial radius (27.5 Ru), polar radius (17.5 Ru), and magnetotail length (300 Ru) are all realistic based on Voyager 2 observations

Hill Sphere

The Hill sphere visualization (radius fraction 2,770, approximately 70.2 million km) is scientifically accurate. The description correctly explains that all major moons and rings lie well within this sphere and provides good educational context about gravitational dominance.

All parameters, compositions, and discovery contexts are consistent with Hubble and Voyager observations.