What Are the Similarities Between Earth and Uranus?
Both Earth and Uranus are spherical, orbit the sun and tilt on their axes. Though the time to orbit the sun by the Earth is a year, it takes Uranus 84 Earth years to do the same.
Both planets have magnetospheres and both have natural satellites. Though Earth’s one satellite is the moon, as of 2014, Uranus has 27 moons. Among them are Oberon, Titania, Miranda, Ariel and Umbriel.
Because Uranus and Earth tilt on their axes, both planets to experience seasons. However, with its axial tilt of about 23.5 degrees, Earth’s seasons are fairly mild and very brief compared to Uranus’. Seasons on Uranus can last 21 years, and the planet is subject to violent storms that are the size of continents. This is because Uranus, with an axial tilt of nearly 98 degrees, is basically spinning on its side.
Both Earth and Uranus have atmospheres. However, Earth’s atmosphere is made up of oxygen, nitrogen and other gases, while Uranus’ atmosphere is largely made up of hydrogen, helium and methane ice.
Both planets are also the only ones not named after Roman gods. Earth’s name is Old English in origin, while Uranus is named after the Greek sky god Ouranos.
