A new model analyzing tiny oscillations in the spin of Uranus' moons suggests the presence of liquid oceans beneath their icy surfaces. Developed by Doug Hemingway, a planetary scientist at UTIG, this model interprets wobbles in the moons' orbits to reveal the distribution of water, ice, and rock underneath.
A significant wobble indicates a liquid ocean, while minimal wobble suggests a solid interior. Combined with gravity data, the model estimates ocean depth and ice thickness, providing critical insights for NASA's upcoming Uranus mission.
The research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, posits that confirming liquid water on these moons could reshape our understanding of potential life-supporting environments across the galaxy. Uranus, classified as an ice giant, shares characteristics with Neptune and is part of a planetary group identified as the most common type of exoplanet.
Hemingway's model assessed five of Uranus's moons, including Ariel, which could harbor an ocean up to 100 miles deep beneath a 20-mile-thick ice shell if its wobble measures around 300 feet. Detecting such variations requires spacecraft with advanced imaging and detection capabilities.
Krista Soderlund, a UTIG research associate professor, emphasized the importance of mission preparedness, stating that it could determine whether an ocean is discovered or if capabilities fall short upon arrival. Future advancements in the model aim to incorporate data from additional instruments, enhancing the understanding of the moons' internal structures and furthering the search for extraterrestrial life.