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Uranus
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MAIN MOONS: Oberon
Titania
Umbriel
Ariel
Miranda
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y
ARIEL
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· Your travel guide to the Solar System ·
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DEFINITION
Ariel is one of the larger moons that orbit the planet Uranus.
REASONS TO VISIT
- See the brightest Uranian satellite
- Take a trip down the valleys that cross the entire surface
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WHAT TO SEE
Ariel is made mostly of rock and water ice. Scars on the satellite's surface show that this world was geologically active in the past.
There aren't many craters on Ariel. So the ground must have been resurfaced in the past, so the rocks are relatively young.
Ridged valleys
Ariel is crossed by many valleys - some of which have ridges running down the middle. These may be ice that has forced its way up from deeper within the moon.
Unusual orbit
The planet Uranus is tipped on its side and rolls around its path. So its moons also orbit at right angles to the plane of the Solar System.
SPOTTING ARIEL FROM THE EARTH
Ariel is faintly visible from the Earth through large ground-based telescopes.
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TRAVEL INFORMATION
Before you leave
Because the path of the moons is at right angles to the movement of the rest of the planets, you'll need to plan your arrival on Ariel well.
Unless you want to use large quantities of fuel to change your velocity, it's best to make sure Ariel is crossing the plane of the other planets when you arrive.
LOCAL HISTORY
Many moons of Uranus are named after characters from William Shakespeare's plays. Ariel is a mischievous spirit in The Tempest.
Discovery
The moon was discovered by the astronomer William Lassel in 1851.
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