An Introductory Review of our Present Understanding of the Structure and Composition of Uranus’ Atmosphere

Abstract

Measurements of the gross properties of Uranus are enough to show that it is a planet with quite unique characteristics. The best estimates of its radius (24900 km; Danielson, Tomasko and Savage, 1972) and of its mass (14.54 Earth masses; Klepczynski, Seidelmann and Duncombe, 1970) imply an interior structure and overall composition that set it clearly apart from Jupiter and Saturn (Hubbard and MacFarlane, 1980).