Uranus Rotates On 2 Poles? | Learn About Its Movements

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SUMMARY

Uranus rotates on its side relative to the sun, but it does not rotate on two separate poles. Its rotational axis remains perpendicular to its revolution around the sun, meaning that it maintains a consistent orientation throughout its orbit. Consequently, if Uranus has a pole star, that star remains fixed in relation to its rotational axis for the duration of its year, similar to Earth.

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  • Understanding of planetary rotation and revolution
  • Basic knowledge of celestial mechanics
  • Familiarity with the concept of axial tilt
  • Awareness of Uranus's unique orbital characteristics
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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?
 
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Timoothy said:
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).
 
DaveC426913 said:
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
 
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