Scientists used the Webb telescope to make a video of Uranus auroras
Mashable
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Scientists have utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to capture a groundbreaking video of Uranus' auroras, offering unprecedented insights into the planet's upper atmosphere and magnetic field. By observing nearly one full rotation of Uranus, researchers revealed that its ionosphere—the charged layer in its upper atmosphere—is cooler, thinner, and more unevenly distributed than previously thought. This study, published in *Geophysical Research Letters*, provides the first three-dimensional view of Uranus' ionosphere, thanks to JWST's advanced sensitivity.
The video highlights the dynamic interplay between Uranus' magnetic field and its unusual seasons, which are shaped by the planet's sideways rotation. Unlike other planets, Uranus' magnetic axis is significantly tilted relative to its rotational axis, causing its auroras to sweep across its surface in complex patterns. The researchers tracked a faint infrared glow from trihydrogen cations—charged molecules formed where sunlight and space particles interact with the atmosphere. This glow changes based on temperature and particle density, allowing scientists to map the structure of Uranus' ionosphere.
The findings suggest that Uranus' upper atmosphere is cooler and less dense than expected, with temperatures dropping over the past three decades. This aligns with observations from other planets, where similar trends in atmospheric cooling have been noted. The study also confirms that Uranus' lopsided magnetic field channels energy unevenly into its atmosphere, creating regions of varying charged particle activity.
Understanding Uranus' ionosphere is crucial for unraveling how distant giant exoplanets interact with their space environments. With JWST's observations, scientists now have a benchmark to interpret the behavior of energy, temperature, and charged particles around similar worlds beyond our solar system. This research not only deepens our knowledge of Uranus but also enhances our ability to study and understand planets far from Earth.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/20/2026