Uranus' Methane Clouds



This is a graph of the temperature profile.
Click on image for full size version (56K GIF)
Image from: Ethane Haze in the Atmosphere of Uranus
The methane cloud deck of Uranus is found low in the troposphere. The methane clouds are the only clouds to be found on Uranus. The location of the clouds is predicted based upon the temperature at which methane vapor will condense. The altitude at which the temperature of condensation occurs, according to the temperature profile shown in the figure by a straight black line, is where the clouds ought to be.

The graph shows that the temperature in the troposphere goes from about -243 degrees (120 K) to about -370 degrees (55 K). The clouds are found at about 50 km below the tropopause, where the temperature becomes about 70 K.


Return to Atmosphere

The Poles of Uranus

Image: Hood Over South Pole


Uranus' Methane Clouds



This is a diagram showing where the clouds ought to be.
Click on image for full size version (56K GIF)
Image from: Ethane Haze in the Atmosphere of Uranus
The methane clouds of Uranus are found low in the atmosphere. The methane clouds are the only clouds to be found on Uranus, but there are hazes of smog high in the atmosphere.

The diagram shows that the temperature in the atmosphere goes from about -243 degrees (120 K) to about -370 degrees (55 K). The clouds are found at the height where the temperature becomes about 70 K.


Return to Atmosphere

The Poles of Uranus

Picture: Hood Over South Pole


Uranus' Methane Clouds



This is a diagram showing where the clouds ought to be.
Click on image for full size version (56K GIF)
Image from: Ethane Haze in the Atmosphere of Uranus
The methane clouds of Uranus are found low in the atmosphere. The methane clouds are the only clouds to be found on Uranus, but there are hazes of smog high in the atmosphere.


Return to Atmosphere

The Poles of Uranus

Picture: Hood Over South Pole



Last modified May 5, 2009 by Randy Russell.
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