Uranus

Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun and the third-largest planet in the solar system. The blue-green gas giant has the coldest atmosphere of all the planets in the solar system. Uranus is the only planet in the solar system that orbits the sun on its side, and this extreme tilt is responsible for turning the planet's magnetic fields into a jumbled mess. So far only NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft has studied the planet up close during a flyby in 1986, but researchers are still studying the planet with telescopes on and around Earth.

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New York City as seen through Mercury's atmosphere

Alien Big Apple: Artist Envisions NYC on Other Planets

By Mike Wall published

The project showcases the diversity of worlds in our solar system.

New York City as seen through Mercury's atmosphere

How NYC Would Look on Other Planets (Gallery)

By Mike Wall published

The iconic city as seen through other planets' air.

Infographic: unmanned Voyager 1 and 2 probes visited the outer planets of the solar system and are approaching the edge of our solar system.

How the Voyager Space Probes Work (Infographic)

By Karl Tate published

NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 probes launched in 1977 to visit the outer planets of the solar system.

Bright Clouds on Uranus

Bright Clouds on Uranus Space Wallpaper

By Space.com Staff published

Uranus Rings Tilted

Uranus Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Tilted Planet?

By Space.com Staff published

How well do you know the solar system's rear planet?

Harshni Raghav got this spectacular shot of the Harvest Moon on September 12, 2011, somewhere in the Golden State, California.

Harvest Moon Meets Uranus in the Sky Saturday: How to Watch Online

By Space.com Staff published

The Slooh Space Camera will be webcasting live feeds from observatories around the world.

Uranus’ tilt essentially has the planet orbiting the Sun on its side, the axis of its spin is nearly pointing at the Sun.

How to See Uranus in Telescopes This Weekend

By Geoff Gaherty published

The off-kilter planet Uranus hits night sky milestone on Saturday: Opposition.

Artist's concept of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 at the edge of the solar system.

Voyager 1 Probe's 35-Year Trek to Interstellar Space Almost Never Was

By Mike Wall published

Voyager 1's rocket only had 3.5 seconds of fuel left when it sent the probe on its way 35 years ago.

Planets Sky Map February 2012

Must-See Close Encounters of the Planet Kind Occur This Week

By Geoff Gaherty published

The moon will shine with venus, Saturn and the bright star Spica, while Mars makes a late-night appearance.

At 5 p.m. tonight, Dec. 21, Venus and Jupiter dominate the sky; Uranus and Neptune are visible between them with a small telescope.

Rare Sight! See All 7 Planets in the Night Sky This Week

By Geoff Gaherty published

Don't miss the seven major planets of the solar system in the night sky this week.

Uranus Rings Tilted

Missions Proposed to Explore Mysterious Tilted Planet Uranus

By Michael Schirber published

Several Uranus missions are in development, but none have been approved and funded yet.

Uranus Rings Tilted

Planet Uranus Got Sideways Tilt From Multiple Impacts

By Space.com Staff published

Researchers previously thought a single knockout punch likely did the job.

Neptune in Infrared Light

New Photos Show Blazingly Bright Uranus & Neptune in Infrared

By Mike Wall published

The photos show the ice giants blazing red-orange in infrared light.

Six planets and the waning crescent moon arrayed in the dawn sky on Saturday April 30, as seen from Los Angeles, California.

Six Planets Now Aligned in the Dawn Sky

By Geoff Gaherty published

Skywatching tips for how you can view six planets aligned above the rising sun.

The planets Uranus and Venus will be in close conjunction on the morning of April 23.

Uranus and Venus Visible at Dawn on Saturday

By Geoff Gaherty published

The two planets will experience an unusual conjunction, offering rare views for skywatchers.

2011 Skywatching Guide: Planets in the Solar System

By Geoff Gaherty published

Here's a look at how to observe the planets of the solar system in 2011.

This artist’s concept shows NASA's Jupiter Europa Orbiter which will carry a complement of 11 instruments to explore Europa and the Jupiter System. The spacecraft is part of the joint NASA-ESA Europa Jupiter System Mission.

NASA Budget Woes Batter Ambitious Planetary Mission Plans

By Amy Svitak published

NASA's budget problems are limiting the agency's choices for flagship missions to the planets.

An artist's rendering of the New Horizon spacecraft.

NASA Pluto Probe Passes Orbit of Uranus

By Space.com Staff published

NASA's New Horizons probe has reached the orbit of Uranus on its way to Pluto.

This artist’s concept shows NASA's Jupiter Europa Orbiter which will carry a complement of 11 instruments to explore Europa and the Jupiter System. The spacecraft is part of the joint NASA-ESA Europa Jupiter System Mission.

Report Prioritizes Big Missions to Mars and Jupiter, But Can NASA Afford Them?

By Charles Q. Choi published

Flagship missions to find life on Mars and study Jupiter's moon Europa may be too pricy for NASA.

Quadrantid Meteor Shower 2011 Sky Map

Skywatching Events for January 2011

By Geoff Gaherty published

A list of skywatching events in January 2011 that you don't want to miss.