Uranus’ Moon Ariel
October 19, 2004
Uranus’ moon Ariel — Ariel is a moon of Uranus discovered in 1851 by William Lassell.
Its composition is roughly 50% water ice, 30% silicate rock, and 20% methane ice, and it appears to have regions of fresh frost in places.
Largely devoid of impact craters, Ariel appears to have undergone a period of intense geological activity that has produced a huge network of fault canyons and liquid water outflows over its surface.
—–
Discovery
Discovered by William Lassell
Discovered in 1851
Orbital characteristics
Orbital radius: 190,900 km
Orbital period: 2.52 days
Rotational period: 2.52 days
Physical characteristics
Diameter: 1160 km
Surface Area: 4,200,000 km2
—–