Four of Uranus' moons may have liquid water. Oceans might hide under the ice.

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Four of Uranus' moons may have liquid water

Oceans might hide under the ice

Foto: NASA/JPL/STScI

Researchers studying Uranus' moons a little closer report that the four largest of the planet's 27 moons likely have liquid oceans beneath their icy surfaces.

These are the moons Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon, which scientists believe generate enough internal heat that some of the water on the moons remains in liquid form under the ice. Evidence has previously been found that there was also liquid water on one of the moons, Ariel, further back in time.

Furthermore, researchers believe that there are abundant amounts of ammonia and salt in the moon oceans, which act as antifreeze and prevent the oceans from freezing into ice. Below are cross-sectional images of Uranus' five largest moons. The researchers also believe that Miranda, Uranus' fifth-largest moon, may have had liquid oceans under the ice at one time, but that is no longer the case.

The above image was taken by the Hubble Telescope 25 years ago and shows Uranus, four of its larger rings, and ten of the planet's moons.

jpl.nasa.gov

Science,

Uranus, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, Oberon