Neptune and Uranus: Scientists Suspect Hidden Giant Inside
Jakarta - For decades, Uranus and Neptune have been known as ice giants in our solar system. However, new research from the University of Zurich and NCCR planets challenges that assumption.
Based on new simulations, the two blue planets are likely more rocky than icy, differing from their traditional classification.
According to the University of Zurich (UZH) website, the team of scientists found that the composition of Uranus and Neptune isn’t solely dominated by ices like water, but could instead be more akin to solid rock. This discovery opens the possibility that the two planets need to be re-categorized,moving away from being simply ‘ice giants’ and towards being ‘rock giants.’
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New Simulations Reveal the Rocky Side of uranus and Neptune
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Uranus could be an ice giant (left) or a rock giant (right) depending on the assumptions of the model used, researchers say. Photo: Keck Institute for Space Studies/Chuck Carter
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In this research, the UZH team developed a new simulation process to model the interiors of both planets. Previously used physics models were considered too reliant on assumptions, while empirical models were too simplistic.
“The classification of ice giants is too simplistic because Uranus and Neptune are still very poorly understood,” explains Luca Morf, a student at