Uranus unusually close to earth

The planet Uranus, known as the planet of eccentricity since it is so unlike the other planets in various ways, particularly in the fact that its axis of rotation is parallel instead of perpendicular to the plane of the solar system (of course the earth’s axis is 26 degrees from perpendicular, but it it still roughly perpendicular), is unusually close to the earth’s orbit now and will be for several years. Some scientists are suggesting that Uranus’s unusual magnetic fields may be playing a factor in the recent earthquakes. Here’s an arresting image of Uranus posted at VFR last year.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at March 30, 2005 05:58 PM | Send