Saturn's Atmospheric Hazes

Besides methane, Uranus' atmosphere contains more sophisticated atmospheric constituents such as ethane gas, acetylene, and diacetylene. All these elements form layers of haze at different altitudes high in the upper stratosphere, as shown in the picture.

Clouds form at a lower altitude in the troposphere.

The diagram shows how the temperature changes in the stratosphere. The temperature goes from about -370 degrees (55 K) to about -243 degrees (120 K). Layers of haze or smog are located throughout this region of the atmosphere.


This is a diagram of Saturn's stratosphere
showing the presence of haze.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: Arizona Press

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Return to atmosphere

Uranus' Atmospheric Hazes

Besides methane, Uranus' atmosphere contains more complex atmospheric molecules such as ethane gas, acetylene, and diacetylene. These elements form layers of haze at different heights high in the upper atmosphere, as shown in the picture.

Clouds form at a lower altitude in the atmosphere.

The diagram shows how the temperature changes in the atmosphere. The temperature goes from about -370 degrees (55 K) to about -243 degrees (120 K). Layers of haze or smog are located throughout this region of the atmosphere.


This is a diagram of Uranus' stratosphere
showing the presence of haze.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: Arizona Press

Return to Saturn

Return to atmosphere

Uranus' Atmospheric Hazes

Besides methane, Uranus' atmosphere contains more complex molecules such as ethane gas. (These gases are the same gases that come out of cars on earth).

These molecules form layers of smog at different heights high in the atmosphere, as shown in the picture.

Clouds form lower in the atmosphere.


This is a diagram of Uranus' stratosphere
showing the presence of haze.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: Arizona Press

Return to Saturn

Return to atmosphere


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