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Uranus
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MAIN MOONS: Oberon
Titania
Umbriel
Ariel
Miranda
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OBERON
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· Your travel guide to the Solar System ·
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DEFINITION
Oberon is of the larger moons of the planet Uranus.
REASONS TO VISIT
- See the huge fault lines that cross the southern hemisphere
- Visit the bright craters that litter Oberon's surface
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WHAT TO SEE
Oberon is made mostly of rock and water ice. However, frozen methane on the planet's surface has been gradually changed by radiation, turning large areas a dark grey colour.
Over the years, asteroid impacts have pierced Oberon's dark crust, to reveal craters of brighter material below.
Large fault lines
Early in Oberon's history, geological activity has created huge faults which cover the moon's southern hemisphere.
Unusual orbit
The planet Uranus is tipped on its side and rolls on its path around the Sun. So its moons also orbit at right angles to the plane of the Solar System.
SPOTTING OBERON FROM THE EARTH
Oberon is one of the darkest bodies in the Solar System. It's only faintly visible through a powerful telescope.
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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 Oberon well.
Unless you want to use large quantities of fuel to change your velocity, it's best to make sure that Oberon 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. Oberon was the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Discovery
Oberon was discovered by William Herschel in 1787.
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