Hubble Spots Auroras on Uranus (IMAGE)
Caption
This is a composite image of Uranus by Voyager 2 and two different observations made by Hubble -- one for the ring and one for the auroras.
Astronomers tracked the interplanetary shocks caused by two powerful bursts of solar wind traveling from the sun to Uranus, then used Hubble to capture their effect on Uranus' auroras -- and found themselves observing the most intense auroras ever seen on the planet. By watching the auroras over time, they collected the first direct evidence that these powerful shimmering regions rotate with the planet. They also re-discovered Uranus' long-lost magnetic poles, which were lost shortly after their discovery by Voyager 2 in 1986 due to uncertainties in measurements and the featureless planet surface.
Credit
ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. Lamy / Observatoire de Paris
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