Publication Date:
2014-09-13
Description:
An assessment of recent research bearing on the rotational properties of Uranus and Neptune is given. It is concluded that these properties are best described by the following estimates; URANUS: Direction of pole = alpha (1950) = 256:72 delta (1950) = -15:04 with an absolute uncertainty of about 0:2, Period = 15 to 17 hours; Sense of spin = Retrograde; NEPTUNE: alpha (1950) = 297:8; delta (1950) = + 41:2, with an uncertainty of about 4 degrees towards the pole of Triton's orbit, Period = 18.2 + or - 0.4 hours, Sense of spin = Prograde. There is a clear signature of large scale, zonal, atmospheric flows in observations of the atmosphere of Neptune. Wind velocities are at least as great as 109 m.sec-1. There is no evidence pro or con for atmospheric motions in the Uranus case.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Uranus and Neptune; p 327-347
Format:
text
