NASA

What if the Sun and Moon rose together?

Get out your

Lunar Dust and Duct Tape

One of the brightest galaxies in planet Earth's sky is similar in size

You'd think the Pacman Nebula would be eating stars, but actually it is forming them.

What causes a blue band to cross the Moon during a lunar eclipse?

If you watch long enough, a comet will appear.

Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems and primary contractor Amentum integrate the SLS (Space Launch System) Moon rocket with the solid rocket boosters onto mobile launcher 1 inside High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Artemis II is the first crewed test flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

NASA/Frank Michaux

Technicians from NASA and primary contractor Amentum join the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the stacked solid rocket boosters for the Artemis II mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 23, 2025. The core stage is the largest component of the rocket, standing 212 feet tall and weighing about 219,000 pounds with its engines. The stage is the backbone of the rocket, supporting the launch vehicle stage adapter, interim cryogenic propulsion stage, Orion stage adapter, and the Orion spacecraft.

Artemis II is the first crewed test flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Image credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

NASA/Frank Michaux

Technicians from NASA and primary contractor Amentum join the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the stacked solid rocket boosters for the Artemis II mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 23, 2025. The core stage is the largest component of the rocket, standing 212 feet tall and weighing about 219,000 pounds with its engines. The stage is the backbone of the rocket, supporting the launch vehicle stage adapter, interim cryogenic propulsion stage, Orion stage adapter, and the Orion spacecraft.

Artemis II is the first crewed test flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Image credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

4 Min Read Career Spotlight: Technologist (Ages 14-18) What does a technologist do?

Technologists are professionals who research, develop, and test emerging technologies. They also find useful ways to put new technologies to work. A technologist is an expert in a specific type of technology, often within a specific field. Many industries rely on innovations developed by technologists. Some of these include aerospace, research, manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology.

NASA technologists make use of technological advancements to improve NASA’s capabilities and better meet the needs of its missions. They also oversee how technologies developed by NASA can improve life on Earth through commercial products. These products are called spinoffs. For examples of how NASA shows up in your everyday life, visit: https://spinoff.nasa.gov.

What are some technology careers at NASA?

Instrument scientist: Works to improve or develop instruments that collect data. In aerospace, an instrument is a sensor or other device that takes measurements or gathers scientific information. This role may include working with other specialties to design, create, and test scientific instruments.

Data scientist: Uses computer science to create tools that manage data. Some of the tasks a data scientist might perform include developing predictive models, machine learning algorithms, or software to extract useful information from large sets of data.

Information technology (IT) specialist: Designs, maintains, implements, and protects IT systems across the agency. Develops software, manages IT projects, and develops applications to support both organizational and mission operations.

One of three small lunar rovers that are part of a NASA technology demonstration called CADRE (Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration) is prepared for shipping in a clean room at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.NASA/JPL-Caltech How can I become a technologist?

There are many different types of careers in technology, and the requirements vary. While you’re in high school, explore the possibilities and learn about the specialties and roles that will fit your interests. Then, investigate the academic path and experience you’ll need to eventually be hired into those roles. Current job openings, guidance counselors, and mentors can shed light on the types of certifications or degrees required. With this information, you can begin planning for the skills and education you’ll need.

It’s important to remember that technology is always advancing. Even after you’ve launched your technologist career, a “lifelong learning” mindset will help you keep up with new innovations and skills.

How can I start preparing today to become a technologist?

Start growing your technology skills today with hands-on activities created by NASA STEM. Looking for something more involved? Many of NASA’s student challenges, competitions, and activities offer authentic experience in aerospace technology, computer science, and more.

Students aged 16 and up who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a paid NASA internship. Interns work on real projects with the guidance of a NASA mentor. Internship sessions are held each year in spring, summer, and fall; visit NASA’s Internships website to learn about important deadlines and current opportunities.

Frank Pena, test director, checks on the 10-foot Mock Truss-Braced Wing at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The aircraft concept involves a wing braced on an aircraft using diagonal struts that also add lift and could result in significantly improved aerodynamics.NASA Advice from NASA technologists

“Think about your personal interests and passions, and also the impact you’d like your work to have. What do you feel personally interested in when it comes to science and technology? Is there a problem that you think is very important for our society to solve? Often there is a research or technology field that can combine those two things!” – Olivia Tyrrell, NASA research engineer

What do you feel personally interested in when it comes to science and technology?

Olivia Tyrrell

NASA Research Engineer

“If you like to create things or find solutions to problems, working in technology is a great choice. Scientists identify problems, engineers solve problems, but ultimately, we need to create new technologies, new things, new gadgets.  Technologists are building the next generation toolbox for engineers and scientists to pull from, enabling everyone to solve problems in more effective and innovative ways. (Technologists invent things… what’s cooler than that?!)” – Kristen John, technical integration manager for lunar dust mitigation

Additional Resources

NASA Data Science, Cybersecurity, and IT Careers

NASA Space Technology

Technology | NASA+

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

For Students Grades 9-12

NASA Internship Programs

NASA STEM Opportunities and Activities For Students

Careers

4 Min Read Career Spotlight: Technologist (Ages 14-18) What does a technologist do?

Technologists are professionals who research, develop, and test emerging technologies. They also find useful ways to put new technologies to work. A technologist is an expert in a specific type of technology, often within a specific field. Many industries rely on innovations developed by technologists. Some of these include aerospace, research, manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology.

NASA technologists make use of technological advancements to improve NASA’s capabilities and better meet the needs of its missions. They also oversee how technologies developed by NASA can improve life on Earth through commercial products. These products are called spinoffs. For examples of how NASA shows up in your everyday life, visit: https://spinoff.nasa.gov.

What are some technology careers at NASA?

Instrument scientist: Works to improve or develop instruments that collect data. In aerospace, an instrument is a sensor or other device that takes measurements or gathers scientific information. This role may include working with other specialties to design, create, and test scientific instruments.

Data scientist: Uses computer science to create tools that manage data. Some of the tasks a data scientist might perform include developing predictive models, machine learning algorithms, or software to extract useful information from large sets of data.

Information technology (IT) specialist: Designs, maintains, implements, and protects IT systems across the agency. Develops software, manages IT projects, and develops applications to support both organizational and mission operations.

One of three small lunar rovers that are part of a NASA technology demonstration called CADRE (Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration) is prepared for shipping in a clean room at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.NASA/JPL-Caltech How can I become a technologist?

There are many different types of careers in technology, and the requirements vary. While you’re in high school, explore the possibilities and learn about the specialties and roles that will fit your interests. Then, investigate the academic path and experience you’ll need to eventually be hired into those roles. Current job openings, guidance counselors, and mentors can shed light on the types of certifications or degrees required. With this information, you can begin planning for the skills and education you’ll need.

It’s important to remember that technology is always advancing. Even after you’ve launched your technologist career, a “lifelong learning” mindset will help you keep up with new innovations and skills.

How can I start preparing today to become a technologist?

Start growing your technology skills today with hands-on activities created by NASA STEM. Looking for something more involved? Many of NASA’s student challenges, competitions, and activities offer authentic experience in aerospace technology, computer science, and more.

Students aged 16 and up who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for a paid NASA internship. Interns work on real projects with the guidance of a NASA mentor. Internship sessions are held each year in spring, summer, and fall; visit NASA’s Internships website to learn about important deadlines and current opportunities.

Frank Pena, test director, checks on the 10-foot Mock Truss-Braced Wing at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The aircraft concept involves a wing braced on an aircraft using diagonal struts that also add lift and could result in significantly improved aerodynamics.NASA Advice from NASA technologists

“Think about your personal interests and passions, and also the impact you’d like your work to have. What do you feel personally interested in when it comes to science and technology? Is there a problem that you think is very important for our society to solve? Often there is a research or technology field that can combine those two things!” – Olivia Tyrrell, NASA research engineer

What do you feel personally interested in when it comes to science and technology?

Olivia Tyrrell

NASA Research Engineer

“If you like to create things or find solutions to problems, working in technology is a great choice. Scientists identify problems, engineers solve problems, but ultimately, we need to create new technologies, new things, new gadgets.  Technologists are building the next generation toolbox for engineers and scientists to pull from, enabling everyone to solve problems in more effective and innovative ways. (Technologists invent things… what’s cooler than that?!)” – Kristen John, technical integration manager for lunar dust mitigation

Additional Resources

NASA Data Science, Cybersecurity, and IT Careers

NASA Space Technology

Technology | NASA+

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

For Students Grades 9-12

NASA Internship Programs

NASA STEM Opportunities and Activities For Students

Careers

4 Min Read Career Spotlight: Scientist (Ages 14-18) What does a scientist do?

Science is about exploring answers to questions. A scientist uses research and evidence to form hypotheses, test variables, and then share their findings.

NASA scientists conduct groundbreaking research to answer some of humanity’s most profound questions. Most scientists start as project scientists in their early careers. They spend a lot of time publishing their peer-reviewed literature and presenting scientific research. Senior-level scientists provide leadership in the NASA community, actively publish research group work, and take on management roles.

What are some of the different types of scientists that work at NASA?

Many types of scientists work at NASA to support its wide variety of missions. The agency’s scientists research the foods we send to space, the habitability of other planets, the weather in space, and so much more. Here are a few examples of types of scientists at NASA.

Planetary scientist: Discovers and studies the planetary objects in our solar system. These efforts shed light on the history of the solar system and the distribution of life within it.

Astrobiologist: Studies the origins of life, how life evolves, and where it might be found in the universe.

Astrophysicist: Studies the physical and chemical structures of stars, planets, and other natural objects found in space.

Biological/physical scientist: Studies how biological and physical processes work in challenging environments like space. This information helps NASA design longer human space missions and also benefits life on Earth.

Earth scientist: Uses observations and data from satellites and other sources to study Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land cover, and land use.

Heliophysicist: Studies the Sun and its behaviors, such as magnetic fields, solar wind, and space weather. This knowledge helps us better understand and predict the Sun’s effects on Earth and in space.

How can I become a scientist?

Focus on building your scientific knowledge and skills. You can do this by taking challenging academic courses, participating in science fairs, and joining extracurricular activities that have a scientific focus. This is also a good time to research what types of sciences you’re most interested in, possible careers in those fields, and academic degrees required for those jobs.

Scientists typically need at least a four-year degree. Most pursue a master’s degree or even a doctorate (Ph.D.) to become experts in their field.

How can I start preparing today to become a scientist?

Interested in applying some science skills right away? NASA provides a variety of hands-on activities for a range of skill levels. The space agency also offers student challenges, competitions, and activities that provide authentic experience in a variety of science fields. For up-to-date opportunities, visit:

• NASA STEM Opportunities and Activities for Students
• NASA Science Learning Opportunities

NASA also offers paid internships for U.S. citizens aged 16 and up. Interns work on real projects with the guidance of a NASA mentor. Internship sessions are held each year in spring, summer, and fall; visit NASA’s Internships website to learn about important deadlines and current opportunities.

Advice from NASA scientists

“Take advantage of opportunities in different fields like attending summer classes, volunteering on the weekends, visiting museums, attending community lectures, and reading introductory books at the library. These are a few ways to expand your scope of possibility within the sciences, while simultaneously narrowing your focus in a field.” – Angela Garcia, exploration geologist

“The key to being a scientist is to love asking questions. If you are fascinated about how and why things work — you are already a scientist.”

Nicola Fox

NASA Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate

“One general skill that is often overlooked is the ability to write well and clearly. There’s a misconception that being a scientist means using big words and writing in ways that no one understands, when it’s actually the opposite. The ability to communicate your thoughts and ideas so that a child can understand is not easy, but it’s essential for good scientific writing.” – Matt Mickens, NASA horticulturist

Additional Resources

Careers in Science and Research

NASA Science Career Path Navigator

NASA Science Mission Directorate

People of NASA Science

Explore NASA+ Scientist Resources

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

For Students Grades 9-12

NASA Internship Programs

NASA STEM Opportunities and Activities For Students

Careers

4 Min Read Career Spotlight: Scientist (Ages 14-18) What does a scientist do?

Science is about exploring answers to questions. A scientist uses research and evidence to form hypotheses, test variables, and then share their findings.

NASA scientists conduct groundbreaking research to answer some of humanity’s most profound questions. Most scientists start as project scientists in their early careers. They spend a lot of time publishing their peer-reviewed literature and presenting scientific research. Senior-level scientists provide leadership in the NASA community, actively publish research group work, and take on management roles.

What are some of the different types of scientists that work at NASA?

Many types of scientists work at NASA to support its wide variety of missions. The agency’s scientists research the foods we send to space, the habitability of other planets, the weather in space, and so much more. Here are a few examples of types of scientists at NASA.

Planetary scientist: Discovers and studies the planetary objects in our solar system. These efforts shed light on the history of the solar system and the distribution of life within it.

Astrobiologist: Studies the origins of life, how life evolves, and where it might be found in the universe.

Astrophysicist: Studies the physical and chemical structures of stars, planets, and other natural objects found in space.

Biological/physical scientist: Studies how biological and physical processes work in challenging environments like space. This information helps NASA design longer human space missions and also benefits life on Earth.

Earth scientist: Uses observations and data from satellites and other sources to study Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land cover, and land use.

Heliophysicist: Studies the Sun and its behaviors, such as magnetic fields, solar wind, and space weather. This knowledge helps us better understand and predict the Sun’s effects on Earth and in space.

How can I become a scientist?

Focus on building your scientific knowledge and skills. You can do this by taking challenging academic courses, participating in science fairs, and joining extracurricular activities that have a scientific focus. This is also a good time to research what types of sciences you’re most interested in, possible careers in those fields, and academic degrees required for those jobs.

Scientists typically need at least a four-year degree. Most pursue a master’s degree or even a doctorate (Ph.D.) to become experts in their field.

How can I start preparing today to become a scientist?

Interested in applying some science skills right away? NASA provides a variety of hands-on activities for a range of skill levels. The space agency also offers student challenges, competitions, and activities that provide authentic experience in a variety of science fields. For up-to-date opportunities, visit:

• NASA STEM Opportunities and Activities for Students
• NASA Science Learning Opportunities

NASA also offers paid internships for U.S. citizens aged 16 and up. Interns work on real projects with the guidance of a NASA mentor. Internship sessions are held each year in spring, summer, and fall; visit NASA’s Internships website to learn about important deadlines and current opportunities.

Advice from NASA scientists

“Take advantage of opportunities in different fields like attending summer classes, volunteering on the weekends, visiting museums, attending community lectures, and reading introductory books at the library. These are a few ways to expand your scope of possibility within the sciences, while simultaneously narrowing your focus in a field.” – Angela Garcia, exploration geologist

“The key to being a scientist is to love asking questions. If you are fascinated about how and why things work — you are already a scientist.”

Nicola Fox

NASA Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate

“One general skill that is often overlooked is the ability to write well and clearly. There’s a misconception that being a scientist means using big words and writing in ways that no one understands, when it’s actually the opposite. The ability to communicate your thoughts and ideas so that a child can understand is not easy, but it’s essential for good scientific writing.” – Matt Mickens, NASA horticulturist

Additional Resources

Careers in Science and Research

NASA Science Career Path Navigator

NASA Science Mission Directorate

People of NASA Science

Explore NASA+ Scientist Resources

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

For Students Grades 9-12

NASA Internship Programs

NASA STEM Opportunities and Activities For Students

Careers

Explore Hubble

• Hubble Home
• Overview
• Impact & Benefits
• Science
• Observatory
• Team
• News
• Multimedia
• More

5 Min Read 20-Year Hubble Study of Uranus Yields New Atmospheric Insights

The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region brightened as northern summer approaches.

Credits:
NASA, ESA, Erich Karkoschka (LPL)

The ice-giant planet Uranus, which travels around the Sun tipped on its side, is a weird and mysterious world. Now, in an unprecedented study spanning two decades, researchers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have uncovered new insights into the planet’s atmospheric composition and dynamics. This was possible only because of Hubble’s sharp resolution, spectral capabilities, and longevity. 

The team’s results will help astronomers to better understand how the atmosphere of Uranus works and responds to changing sunlight. These long-term observations provide valuable data for understanding the atmospheric dynamics of this distant ice giant, which can serve as a proxy for studying exoplanets of similar size and composition.

When Voyager 2 flew past Uranus in 1986, it provided a close-up snapshot of the sideways planet. What it saw resembled a bland, blue-green billiard ball. By comparison, Hubble chronicled a 20-year story of seasonal changes from 2002 to 2022. Over that period, a team led by Erich Karkoschka of the University of Arizona, and Larry Sromovsky and Pat Fry from the University of Wisconsin used the same Hubble instrument, STIS (the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph), to paint an accurate picture of the atmospheric structure of Uranus. 

Uranus’ atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium, with a small amount of methane and traces of water and ammonia. The methane gives Uranus its cyan color by absorbing the red wavelengths of sunlight.

The Hubble team observed Uranus four times in the 20-year period: in 2002, 2012, 2015, and 2022. They found that, unlike conditions on the gas giants Saturn and Jupiter, methane is not uniformly distributed across Uranus. Instead, it is strongly depleted near the poles. This depletion remained relatively constant over the two decades. However, the aerosol and haze structure changed dramatically, brightening significantly in the northern polar region as the planet approaches its northern summer solstice in 2030.

The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region brightened as northern summer approaches. NASA, ESA, Erich Karkoschka (LPL)

Uranus takes a little over 84 Earth years to complete a single orbit of the Sun. So, over two decades, the Hubble team has only seen mostly northern spring as the Sun moves from shining directly over Uranus’ equator toward shining almost directly over its north pole in 2030. Hubble observations suggest complex atmospheric circulation patterns on Uranus during this period. The data that are most sensitive to the methane distribution indicate a downwelling in the polar regions and upwelling in other regions. 

The team analyzed their results in several ways. The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region (left) darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region (right) brightened as it began to come into a more direct view as northern summer approaches.

The top row, in visible light, shows how the color of Uranus appears to the human eye as seen through even an amateur telescope. 

In the second row, the false-color image of the planet is assembled from visible and near-infrared light observations. The color and brightness correspond to the amounts of methane and aerosols. Both of these quantities could not be distinguished before Hubble’s STIS was first aimed at Uranus in 2002. Generally, green areas indicate less methane than blue areas, and red areas show no methane. The red areas are at the limb, where the stratosphere of Uranus is almost completely devoid of methane. 

The two bottom rows show the latitude structure of aerosols and methane inferred from 1,000 different wavelengths (colors) from visible to near infrared. In the third row, bright areas indicate cloudier conditions, while the dark areas represent clearer conditions. In the fourth row, bright areas indicate depleted methane, while dark areas show the full amount of methane. 

At middle and low latitudes, aerosols and methane depletion have their own latitudinal structure that mostly did not change much over the two decades of observation.  However, in the polar regions, aerosols and methane depletion behave very differently. 

In the third row, the aerosols near the north pole display a dramatic increase, showing up as very dark during early northern spring, turning very bright in recent years. Aerosols also seem to disappear at the left limb as the solar radiation disappeared. This is evidence that solar radiation changes the aerosol haze in the atmosphere of Uranus. On the other hand, methane depletion seems to stay quite high in both polar regions throughout the observing period. 

Astronomers will continue to observe Uranus as the planet approaches northern summer.

The Hubble Space Telescope has been operating for over three decades and continues to make ground-breaking discoveries that shape our fundamental understanding of the universe. Hubble is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope and mission operations. Lockheed Martin Space, based in Denver, also supports mission operations at Goddard. The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, conducts Hubble science operations for NASA.

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@NASAHubble

Instagram logo @NASAHubble

Related Images & Videos

20 Years of Uranus Observations

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Last Updated

Mar 31, 2025

Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Contact

Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

Ann Jenkins
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Ray Villard
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Related Terms

• Hubble Space Telescope
• Astrophysics Division
• Goddard Space Flight Center
• Planetary Environments & Atmospheres
• Planetary Science
• Planets
• The Solar System
• Uranus

Explore Hubble

• Hubble Home
• Overview
• Impact & Benefits
• Science
• Observatory
• Team
• News
• Multimedia
• More

5 Min Read 20-Year Hubble Study of Uranus Yields New Atmospheric Insights

The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region brightened as northern summer approaches.

Credits:
NASA, ESA, Erich Karkoschka (LPL)

The ice-giant planet Uranus, which travels around the Sun tipped on its side, is a weird and mysterious world. Now, in an unprecedented study spanning two decades, researchers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have uncovered new insights into the planet’s atmospheric composition and dynamics. This was possible only because of Hubble’s sharp resolution, spectral capabilities, and longevity. 

The team’s results will help astronomers to better understand how the atmosphere of Uranus works and responds to changing sunlight. These long-term observations provide valuable data for understanding the atmospheric dynamics of this distant ice giant, which can serve as a proxy for studying exoplanets of similar size and composition.

When Voyager 2 flew past Uranus in 1986, it provided a close-up snapshot of the sideways planet. What it saw resembled a bland, blue-green billiard ball. By comparison, Hubble chronicled a 20-year story of seasonal changes from 2002 to 2022. Over that period, a team led by Erich Karkoschka of the University of Arizona, and Larry Sromovsky and Pat Fry from the University of Wisconsin used the same Hubble instrument, STIS (the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph), to paint an accurate picture of the atmospheric structure of Uranus. 

Uranus’ atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium, with a small amount of methane and traces of water and ammonia. The methane gives Uranus its cyan color by absorbing the red wavelengths of sunlight.

The Hubble team observed Uranus four times in the 20-year period: in 2002, 2012, 2015, and 2022. They found that, unlike conditions on the gas giants Saturn and Jupiter, methane is not uniformly distributed across Uranus. Instead, it is strongly depleted near the poles. This depletion remained relatively constant over the two decades. However, the aerosol and haze structure changed dramatically, brightening significantly in the northern polar region as the planet approaches its northern summer solstice in 2030.

The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region brightened as northern summer approaches. NASA, ESA, Erich Karkoschka (LPL)

Uranus takes a little over 84 Earth years to complete a single orbit of the Sun. So, over two decades, the Hubble team has only seen mostly northern spring as the Sun moves from shining directly over Uranus’ equator toward shining almost directly over its north pole in 2030. Hubble observations suggest complex atmospheric circulation patterns on Uranus during this period. The data that are most sensitive to the methane distribution indicate a downwelling in the polar regions and upwelling in other regions. 

The team analyzed their results in several ways. The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region (left) darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region (right) brightened as it began to come into a more direct view as northern summer approaches.

The top row, in visible light, shows how the color of Uranus appears to the human eye as seen through even an amateur telescope. 

In the second row, the false-color image of the planet is assembled from visible and near-infrared light observations. The color and brightness correspond to the amounts of methane and aerosols. Both of these quantities could not be distinguished before Hubble’s STIS was first aimed at Uranus in 2002. Generally, green areas indicate less methane than blue areas, and red areas show no methane. The red areas are at the limb, where the stratosphere of Uranus is almost completely devoid of methane. 

The two bottom rows show the latitude structure of aerosols and methane inferred from 1,000 different wavelengths (colors) from visible to near infrared. In the third row, bright areas indicate cloudier conditions, while the dark areas represent clearer conditions. In the fourth row, bright areas indicate depleted methane, while dark areas show the full amount of methane. 

At middle and low latitudes, aerosols and methane depletion have their own latitudinal structure that mostly did not change much over the two decades of observation.  However, in the polar regions, aerosols and methane depletion behave very differently. 

In the third row, the aerosols near the north pole display a dramatic increase, showing up as very dark during early northern spring, turning very bright in recent years. Aerosols also seem to disappear at the left limb as the solar radiation disappeared. This is evidence that solar radiation changes the aerosol haze in the atmosphere of Uranus. On the other hand, methane depletion seems to stay quite high in both polar regions throughout the observing period. 

Astronomers will continue to observe Uranus as the planet approaches northern summer.

The Hubble Space Telescope has been operating for over three decades and continues to make ground-breaking discoveries that shape our fundamental understanding of the universe. Hubble is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope and mission operations. Lockheed Martin Space, based in Denver, also supports mission operations at Goddard. The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, conducts Hubble science operations for NASA.

Facebook logo @NASAHubble

@NASAHubble

Instagram logo @NASAHubble

Related Images & Videos

20 Years of Uranus Observations

Share

• 
  
  
• 
  
  
• 
  
  
• 
  
  

Details

Last Updated

Mar 31, 2025

Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Contact

Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

Ann Jenkins
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Ray Villard
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Related Terms

• Hubble Space Telescope
• Astrophysics Division
• Goddard Space Flight Center
• Planetary Environments & Atmospheres
• Planetary Science
• Planets
• The Solar System
• Uranus

3 min read

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) This team from University High School in Irvine, California, won the 2025 regional Oceans Science Bowl, hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. From left: Nethra Iyer, Joanne Chen, Matthew Feng, Avery Hexun, Angelina Yan, and coach David Knight.NASA/JPL-Caltech

The annual regional event puts students’ knowledge of ocean-related science to the test in a fast-paced academic competition.

A team of students from University High School in Irvine earned first place at a fast-paced regional academic competition focused on ocean science disciplines and hosted by NASA’S Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

Eight teams from Los Angeles and Orange counties competed at the March 29 event, dubbed the Los Angeles Surf Bowl. It was the last of about 20 regional competitions held across the U.S. this year in the lead-up to the virtual National Ocean Sciences Bowl finals event in mid-May.

Santa Monica High School earned second place; Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles came in third. With its victory, University repeated its winning performance from last year. The school also won the JPL-hosted regional Science Bowl earlier this month.

Teams from all eight schools that participated in the JPL-hosted 2025 regional Ocean Sciences Bowl pose alongside volunteers and coaches.NASA/JPL-Caltech

For the Ocean Sciences Bowl, teams are composed of four to five students and a coach. To prepare for the event, team members spend months answering multiple-choice questions with a “Jeopardy!”-style buzzer in just five seconds. Questions come in several categories, including biology, chemistry, geology, and physics along with related geography, technology, history, policy, and current events topics.

A question in the chemistry category might be “What chemical is the principal source of energy at many of Earth’s hydrothermal vent systems?” (It’s hydrogen sulfide.) Other questions can be considerably more challenging.

When a team member buzzes in and gives the correct answer to a multiple-choice question, the team earns a bonus question, which allows teammates to consult with one another to come up with an answer. More complicated “team challenge questions” prompt students to work together for a longer period. The theme of this year’s competition is “Sounding the Depths: Understanding Ocean Acoustics.”

University High junior Matthew Feng, a return competitor, said the team’s success felt like a payoff for hours of studying together, including on weekends. He keeps coming back to the competition partly for the sense of community and also for the personal challenge, he said. “It’s nice to compete and meet people, see people who were here last year,” Matthew added. “Pushing yourself mentally — the first year I was shaking so hard because I wasn’t used to that much adrenaline.”

Since 2000, JPL’s Public Services Office has coordinated the Los Angeles regional contest with the help of volunteers from laboratory staff and former Ocean Sciences Bowl participants in the local community. JPL is managed for NASA by Caltech.

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is a program of the Center for Ocean Leadership at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a nonprofit consortium of colleges and universities focused in part on Earth science-related education.

News Media Contact

Melissa Pamer
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
626-314-4928
melissa.pamer@jpl.nasa.gov

2025-044

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Details Last Updated Mar 31, 2025 Related Terms

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• STEM Engagement at NASA

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) This team from University High School in Irvine, California, won the 2025 regional Oceans Science Bowl, hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. From left: Nethra Iyer, Joanne Chen, Matthew Feng, Avery Hexun, Angelina Yan, and coach David Knight.NASA/JPL-Caltech

The annual regional event puts students’ knowledge of ocean-related science to the test in a fast-paced academic competition.

A team of students from University High School in Irvine earned first place at a fast-paced regional academic competition focused on ocean science disciplines and hosted by NASA’S Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

Eight teams from Los Angeles and Orange counties competed at the March 29 event, dubbed the Los Angeles Surf Bowl. It was the last of about 20 regional competitions held across the U.S. this year in the lead-up to the virtual National Ocean Sciences Bowl finals event in mid-May.

Santa Monica High School earned second place; Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Los Angeles came in third. With its victory, University repeated its winning performance from last year. The school also won the JPL-hosted regional Science Bowl earlier this month.

Teams from all eight schools that participated in the JPL-hosted 2025 regional Ocean Sciences Bowl pose alongside volunteers and coaches.NASA/JPL-Caltech

For the Ocean Sciences Bowl, teams are composed of four to five students and a coach. To prepare for the event, team members spend months answering multiple-choice questions with a “Jeopardy!”-style buzzer in just five seconds. Questions come in several categories, including biology, chemistry, geology, and physics along with related geography, technology, history, policy, and current events topics.

A question in the chemistry category might be “What chemical is the principal source of energy at many of Earth’s hydrothermal vent systems?” (It’s hydrogen sulfide.) Other questions can be considerably more challenging.

When a team member buzzes in and gives the correct answer to a multiple-choice question, the team earns a bonus question, which allows teammates to consult with one another to come up with an answer. More complicated “team challenge questions” prompt students to work together for a longer period. The theme of this year’s competition is “Sounding the Depths: Understanding Ocean Acoustics.”

University High junior Matthew Feng, a return competitor, said the team’s success felt like a payoff for hours of studying together, including on weekends. He keeps coming back to the competition partly for the sense of community and also for the personal challenge, he said. “It’s nice to compete and meet people, see people who were here last year,” Matthew added. “Pushing yourself mentally — the first year I was shaking so hard because I wasn’t used to that much adrenaline.”

Since 2000, JPL’s Public Services Office has coordinated the Los Angeles regional contest with the help of volunteers from laboratory staff and former Ocean Sciences Bowl participants in the local community. JPL is managed for NASA by Caltech.

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is a program of the Center for Ocean Leadership at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a nonprofit consortium of colleges and universities focused in part on Earth science-related education.

News Media Contact

Melissa Pamer
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
626-314-4928
melissa.pamer@jpl.nasa.gov

2025-044

Share

Details Last Updated Mar 31, 2025 Related Terms

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• STEM Engagement at NASA

Explore More 6 min read NASA’s Curiosity Rover Detects Largest Organic Molecules Found on Mars

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) El avión de investigación supersónico silencioso X-59 de la NASA se encuentra en una rampa de Lockheed Martin Skunk Works en Palmdale, California, durante el atardecer. Esta aeronave única en su tipo es propulsada por un motor General Electric F414, una variante de los motores utilizados en los aviones F/A-18. El motor está montado sobre el fuselaje para reducir la cantidad de ondas de choque que llegan al suelo. El X-59 es la pieza central de la misión Quesst de la NASA, que busca demostrar el vuelo supersónico silencioso y permitir futuros viajes comerciales sobre tierra – más rápidos que la velocidad del sonido.Lockheed Martin Corporation/Garry Tice El avión de investigación supersónico silencioso X-59 de la NASA se encuentra en una rampa de Lockheed Martin Skunk Works en Palmdale, California, durante el atardecer. Esta aeronave única en su tipo es propulsada por un motor General Electric F414, una variante de los motores utilizados en los aviones F/A-18. El motor está montado sobre el fuselaje para reducir la cantidad de ondas de choque que llegan al suelo. El X-59 es la pieza central de la misión Quesst de la NASA, que busca demostrar el vuelo supersónico silencioso y permitir futuros viajes comerciales sobre tierra – más rápidos que la velocidad del sonido.Lockheed Martin Corporation/Garry Tice

Read this story in English here.

El equipo detrás del X-59 de la NASA completó en marzo otra prueba crítica en tierra, garantizando que el silencioso avión supersónico será capaz de mantener una velocidad específica durante su funcionamiento. Esta prueba, conocida como mantenimiento automático de velocidad del motor, es el más reciente marcador de progreso a medida que el X-59 se acerca a su primer vuelo este año. 

“El mantenimiento automático de la velocidad del motor es básicamente la versión de control de crucero de la aeronave,” explicó Paul Dees, jefe adjunto de propulsión de la NASA del X-59 en el Centro de Investigación de Vuelo Armstrong de la agencia en Edwards, California. “El piloto activa el control de velocidad a su velocidad actual y luego puede aumentarla o ajustarla gradualmente según sea necesario.” 

El equipo del X-59 ya había realizado una prueba similar en el motor, pero sólo como un sistema aislado. La prueba de marzo verificó que la retención de velocidad funciona correctamente tras su integración en la aviónica de la aeronave. 

“Necesitábamos verificar que el mantenimiento automático de velocidad funcionara no sólo dentro del propio motor, sino como parte de todo el sistema del avión,” explicó Dees. “Esta prueba confirmó que todos los componentes – software, enlaces mecánicos y leyes de control – funcionan juntos según lo previsto.” 

El éxito de la prueba confirmó la habilidad de la aeronave para controlar la velocidad con precisión, lo cual será muy invaluable durante el vuelo. Esta capacidad aumentará la seguridad de los pilotos, permitiéndoles enfocarse en otros aspectos críticos de la operación de vuelo. 

“El piloto va a estar muy ocupado durante el primer vuelo, asegurándose de que la aeronave sea estable y controlable,” dijo Dees. “Al tener la función del mantenimiento automático de velocidad, de reduce parte de esa carga de trabajo, lo que hace que el primer vuelo sea mucho más seguro.” 

Inicialmente el equipo tenía planeado comprobar el mantenimiento automático de velocidad como parte de una próxima serie de pruebas en tierra donde alimentarían la aeronave con un sólido conjunto de datos para verificar su funcionalidad tanto en condiciones normales como de fallo, conocidas como pruebas de pájaro de aluminio (una estructura que se utiliza para probar los sistemas de una aeronave en un laboratorio, simulando un vuelo real). Sin embargo, el equipo se dio cuenta que había una oportunidad de probarlo antes. 

“Fue un objetivo de oportunidad,” dijo Dees. “Nos dimos cuenta de que estábamos listos para probar el mantenimiento automático de velocidad del motor por separado mientras otros sistemas continuaban con la finalización de su software. Si podemos aprender algo antes, siempre es mejor.” 

Con cada prueba exitosa, el equipo integrado de la NASA y Lockheed Martin acerca el X-59 al primer vuelo, y hacer historia en la aviación a través de su tecnología supersónica silenciosa. 

Artículo Traducido por: Priscila Valdez

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Details Last Updated Mar 31, 2025 EditorDede DiniusContactNicolas Cholulanicolas.h.cholula@nasa.gov Related Terms

• Aeronáutica
• NASA en español

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Armstrong Flight Research Center

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3 min read

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) El avión de investigación supersónico silencioso X-59 de la NASA se encuentra en una rampa de Lockheed Martin Skunk Works en Palmdale, California, durante el atardecer. Esta aeronave única en su tipo es propulsada por un motor General Electric F414, una variante de los motores utilizados en los aviones F/A-18. El motor está montado sobre el fuselaje para reducir la cantidad de ondas de choque que llegan al suelo. El X-59 es la pieza central de la misión Quesst de la NASA, que busca demostrar el vuelo supersónico silencioso y permitir futuros viajes comerciales sobre tierra – más rápidos que la velocidad del sonido.Lockheed Martin Corporation/Garry Tice El avión de investigación supersónico silencioso X-59 de la NASA se encuentra en una rampa de Lockheed Martin Skunk Works en Palmdale, California, durante el atardecer. Esta aeronave única en su tipo es propulsada por un motor General Electric F414, una variante de los motores utilizados en los aviones F/A-18. El motor está montado sobre el fuselaje para reducir la cantidad de ondas de choque que llegan al suelo. El X-59 es la pieza central de la misión Quesst de la NASA, que busca demostrar el vuelo supersónico silencioso y permitir futuros viajes comerciales sobre tierra – más rápidos que la velocidad del sonido.Lockheed Martin Corporation/Garry Tice

Read this story in English here.

El equipo detrás del X-59 de la NASA completó en marzo otra prueba crítica en tierra, garantizando que el silencioso avión supersónico será capaz de mantener una velocidad específica durante su funcionamiento. Esta prueba, conocida como mantenimiento automático de velocidad del motor, es el más reciente marcador de progreso a medida que el X-59 se acerca a su primer vuelo este año. 

“El mantenimiento automático de la velocidad del motor es básicamente la versión de control de crucero de la aeronave,” explicó Paul Dees, jefe adjunto de propulsión de la NASA del X-59 en el Centro de Investigación de Vuelo Armstrong de la agencia en Edwards, California. “El piloto activa el control de velocidad a su velocidad actual y luego puede aumentarla o ajustarla gradualmente según sea necesario.” 

El equipo del X-59 ya había realizado una prueba similar en el motor, pero sólo como un sistema aislado. La prueba de marzo verificó que la retención de velocidad funciona correctamente tras su integración en la aviónica de la aeronave. 

“Necesitábamos verificar que el mantenimiento automático de velocidad funcionara no sólo dentro del propio motor, sino como parte de todo el sistema del avión,” explicó Dees. “Esta prueba confirmó que todos los componentes – software, enlaces mecánicos y leyes de control – funcionan juntos según lo previsto.” 

El éxito de la prueba confirmó la habilidad de la aeronave para controlar la velocidad con precisión, lo cual será muy invaluable durante el vuelo. Esta capacidad aumentará la seguridad de los pilotos, permitiéndoles enfocarse en otros aspectos críticos de la operación de vuelo. 

“El piloto va a estar muy ocupado durante el primer vuelo, asegurándose de que la aeronave sea estable y controlable,” dijo Dees. “Al tener la función del mantenimiento automático de velocidad, de reduce parte de esa carga de trabajo, lo que hace que el primer vuelo sea mucho más seguro.” 

Inicialmente el equipo tenía planeado comprobar el mantenimiento automático de velocidad como parte de una próxima serie de pruebas en tierra donde alimentarían la aeronave con un sólido conjunto de datos para verificar su funcionalidad tanto en condiciones normales como de fallo, conocidas como pruebas de pájaro de aluminio (una estructura que se utiliza para probar los sistemas de una aeronave en un laboratorio, simulando un vuelo real). Sin embargo, el equipo se dio cuenta que había una oportunidad de probarlo antes. 

“Fue un objetivo de oportunidad,” dijo Dees. “Nos dimos cuenta de que estábamos listos para probar el mantenimiento automático de velocidad del motor por separado mientras otros sistemas continuaban con la finalización de su software. Si podemos aprender algo antes, siempre es mejor.” 

Con cada prueba exitosa, el equipo integrado de la NASA y Lockheed Martin acerca el X-59 al primer vuelo, y hacer historia en la aviación a través de su tecnología supersónica silenciosa. 

Artículo Traducido por: Priscila Valdez

Share

Details Last Updated Mar 31, 2025 EditorDede DiniusContactNicolas Cholulanicolas.h.cholula@nasa.gov Related Terms

• Aeronáutica
• NASA en español

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Humans in Space

Climate Change

Solar System