EPISODE · Feb 23, 2026 · 5 MIN
Mapping Uranus in 3D
from Intellectually Curious · host Mike Breault
We dive into JWST's first 3D map of Uranus's upper atmosphere, built from a 15-hour near-infrared spectrograph stare. The result is a full tomography from clouds to 5,000 kilometers, revealing a tilted, offset magnetosphere with rapid reconnection, two bright auroral bands divided by a dark gap, and a striking decoupling between heat and ionization. These findings challenge current models of atmospheric dynamics, illuminate the physics of the galaxy's most common planet type (sub-Neptunes), and point to exciting future missions that could reveal even more about ice giants and distant worlds.Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.Sponsored by Embersilk LLC
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We dive into JWST's first 3D map of Uranus's upper atmosphere, built from a 15-hour near-infrared spectrograph stare. The result is a full tomography from clouds to 5,000 kilometers, revealing a tilted, offset magnetosphere with rapid reconnection, two bright auroral bands divided by a dark gap, and a striking decoupling between heat and ionization. These findings challenge current models of atmospheric dynamics, illuminate the physics of the galaxy's most common planet type (sub-Neptunes), a...
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Mapping Uranus in 3D
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