Uranus Found Emitting Internal Heat, Reviving Hopes for Flagship NASA Mission

Astronomers have discovered that Uranus emits 12% more heat than it receives from sunlight, contradicting past data from Voyager 2. The internal warmth likely comes from leftover energy in the planet’s core, offering clues to its tilt and interior structure. This unexpected heat has intensified calls for a flagship NASA mission to Uranus. Scientists say such a mission could launch an atmospheric probe and orbit the planet for years, studying its composition, rings, and many moons. As ice giants are common in exoplanetary systems, Uranus may hold secrets to planetary formation.