MSNeBOOK Accessories

Why is Uranus on it's side including the rings and moons?

This is a serious question none of the endless jokes about Uranus please!
Uranus does have rings as well as Saturn

Axial tilt
One of the most distinctive features of Uranus is its axial tilt of ninety-eight degrees. Consequently, for part of its orbit one pole faces the Sun continually while the other pole faces away. At the other side of Uranus' orbit the orientation of the poles towards the Sun is reversed. Between these two extremes of its orbit the Sun rises and sets around the equator normally.

At the time of Voyager 2's passage in 1986, Uranus' south pole was pointed almost directly at the Sun. Note that the labelling of this pole as "south" is actually in some dispute. Uranus can either be described as having an axial tilt of slightly more than 90°, or it can be described as having an axial tilt of slightly less than 90° and rotating in a retrograde direction; these two descriptions are exactly equivalent as physical descriptions of the planet but result in different definitions of which pole is the north pole and which is the south pole.

One result of this orientation is that the polar regions of Uranus receive a greater energy input from the Sun than its equatorial regions. Uranus is nevertheless hotter at its equator than at its poles, although the underlying mechanism which causes this is unknown. The reason for Uranus' extreme axial tilt is also not known. It is speculated[citation needed] that perhaps during the formation of the planet it collided with an enormous protoplanet, resulting in the skewed orientation.

It appears that Uranus' extreme axial tilt also results in extreme seasonal variations in its weather. During the Voyager 2 flyby, Uranus' banded cloud patterns were extremely bland and faint. Recent Hubble Space Telescope observations, however, show a more strongly banded appearance now that the Sun is approaching Uranus' equator. By 2007 the Sun will be directly over Uranus's equator.

Lord of the Rings: Soldier Side

Fred & Friends Fisticup Metallic-Handled Ceramic Mug $8.95 Fred & Friends FISTICUP Knuckleduster Mug....

Norpro Silicone Pastry Mat with Measures $8.97 Product Features Measures 19.5 inches/49.5cm by 15.5 inches/39cm Measures dough or crusts fro 6 to 15 inches/15 to 38cm Flexible, nonstick silicone offers instant, easy release without the use of grease; Oven safe to 450F/235C Doubles as a baking sheet liner for even heat distribution and prevention of browning. Dishwasher safe Amazon.com Product Description This flexible, nonstick silicone mat of...

Oster BVLB07-Z Counterforms 3-Speed 2-in-1 Blender/Food-Processor Combo with 48-Ounce Glass Jar $51.95 The Counterforms 2-In-1 Appliance with Oster Fusion Technology BVLB07-L handles the functions of two machines. It mixes liquids like a blender while also performing many common food-processor tasks, such as chopping and pureeing fruits and vegetables. The BVLB07-Z consists of a sturdy base containing a 600-watt motor, a stainless-steel 6-point Star Blade, a large 48-ounce (6-cup) glass blending ja...

Dark Horse $11.08 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: HARRISON,GEORGETitle: DARK HORSEStreet Release Date: 01/29/1992...

Odyssey $9.56 Hayley Westenra's new album Odyssey was always going to be a different proposition to Pure, the record-breaking 2003 collection which marked her international debut. A lot has happened to the young New Zealander over the past two or three years--and those changes are clearly reflected by a record which encapsulates her growth from a budding teenage prodigy into a mature young woman.Now, at 18, Hay...

Guitars Cadillacs Etc $3.25 Both the introduction to hard country for a generation of college kids and a key entry in what became the neotraditionalist movement, Dwight Yoakam's debut was a near-perfect re-creation of Buck Owens's Bakersfield sound. "Bury Me" and "Miner's Prayer" are heartfelt homages to Yoakam's real Kentucky roots, while honky-tonkers like "South of Cincinnati" remind how many Kentuckians eventually headed...

Pride of the Bowery: The East Side Kids $2.50 Enjoy the swaggering antics of Muggs Maloney (Leo Gorcey), a young fighter filled with the ambition to be a boxing champ. It's the 1930's, the height of the Great Depression. FDR has set up the Civilian Conservation Corps. Muggs decides he needs to do his training in the country. Before he knows what has happened, he and his pals belong to the CCC. The gang is not used to such strict military regi...

Two Rings for Eddie. A TV episode of The Joe Palooka Story Two rings for Eddie. A TV episode of The Joe Palooka Story starring Joe Kirkwood. This video is in B & W. The video box says approximately 30 minutes long....

Gerber 22-01769 Shard Keychain Tool $1.40 Shard Multi-tool keychain...

Leatherman 934850 Quick-Release Pocket Clip and Lanyard Ring $5.00 Removable Pocket Clip & Quick-Release Lanyard Ring...