The Atmosphere of Uranus Is Literally Leaking Gas Into Space

[Nat]

Hidden in the data from Voyager 2's historic 1986 encounter with the icy planet, and undiscovered until now, was the presence of a plasmoid - a pocket of atmospheric material being funnelled away from Uranus by the planet's magnetic field.

It's the first time a plasmoid has been spotted in connection with an ice giant, and it doesn't just show us that Uranus' atmosphere is leaking. It's also revealing some of the dynamics of this planet's peculiar, twisted magnetic field.

The Atmosphere of Uranus Is Literally Leaking Gas Into Space

Poor old Uranus just can't seem to catch a break.

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