Uranus is the first of the 'modern planets' as it was only discovered recently in 1781. Even though it was only just visible in ancient times, it took the modern technology of a telescope to officially register its existence as a planet. It is about two billion kilometers away after all. Its discovery was monumental in reality, as it broadened the horizons of our Solar System, and led to further planet discoveries. The Ancients most probably thought it was a star. After being named a few times, almost a century later it was officially named after the Greek God of the Sky, considered to be the oldest known Universal God. Its name has also been subject to years of incorrect pronunciation, as if it had a double 'a'.
Uranus is the third largest planet in our Solar System, about four times the size of Earth. Its core is solid and is a little larger in size than Earth. It is the third of the gas giants, and the only one which does not produce very much internal heat. It is most unique for the fact that it is the only planet whose axis sits tilted, appearing to be on its side. No one knows exactly why Uranus is tilted in this way. Our best guess is that in its early days it was involved in a titanic collision with another body. It is positioned almost three billion kilometers from the Sun, and takes 84 Earth years to orbit the Sun. It receives 42 years of sunshine on its South Pole, before swinging around so its North Pole has its turn in the sunshine.
Its planetary axis spins around roughly every 17 hours, and its atmosphere is about a 9,000 kilometer thick layer of ice, mainly hydrogen and helium based. A small methane component in its upper atmosphere is what absorbs the red light of the Sun, which is why it appears its beautiful color. Its temperature is constant and does not fluctuate much. Another unique fact is that it experiences incredibly fast winds along its equator line, and winds up to 400 kilometers an hour traveling the other way (in its actual rotational direction) on both its mid latitude lines.
Uranus has at least 22 satellites, and nine rings which appear to carry additional fine dust particles. Because its satellites orbit its equator line, it is most likely they were a part of the huge collision which tilted the planets axis. Two of its moons are 'shepherd moons' which control one of its main rings. It also has five large moons, one of them being truly unique. This moon 'Miranda' is half water ice and half rock. It is also home to 20 kilometer high cliff tops, thought to be the tallest in our Solar System.
