The Moons of Uranus May Hold the Key to Finding Missing Planets
A new study published in Icarus suggests that the current configuration of Uranus's moons may be evidence of a violent past involving the ejection of giant planets from our solar system. Researchers believe these moons were destabilized by gravitational interactions during the early migration of the giant planets.
Why it matters
This research provides a new method for understanding the chaotic early history of our solar system and the potential existence of 'missing' planets.
Photograph: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story We have an idea of what the solar system s past was like: It was violent and chaotic. However, we are still studying how violent it was. Current models suggest that at some point after their formation, the giant planets went through a phase of such extreme instability that one or even two bodies the size of Uranus or Neptune were ejected into interstellar space. If that scenario occurred, we may find clues in the most unexpected places in the solar system, such as the moons of Jupite r and, especially, those of Uranus.
The article summarizes scientific findings without political or social bias.
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