Uranus Movements

[Timoothy]

Main Question or Discussion Point

Uranus is said to rotate on its side relative to the sun, and it also moves in such a way that both its poles (north an south) take turns facing the sun during its orbit, so does Uranus rotate on two separate poles?

 

[DaveC426913]

Uranus is said to rotate on its side relative to the sun, and it also moves in such a way that both its poles (north an south) take turns facing the sun during its orbit, so does Uranus rotate on two separate poles?

No. Its rotational axis is perpendicular to its revolution about the sun.

As it revolves around the sun, its rotational axis does not change orientation; i.e. if Uranus has a Pole star (its rotational axis pointing at one star), then that will be its pole star throughout its year (just like with Earth).

 

[Timoothy]

As it revolves around the sun, its rotational axis does not change orientation; i.e. if Uranus has a Pole star (its rotational axis pointing at one star), then that will be its pole star throughout its year (just like with Earth).

Thanks for the correct information, I "get-it" now, and below is a "png" of what you described.


http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ast110_06/quizzes/disc02_fig01.png