Mysterious Plasma Release: Unraveling the Secrets of Uranus' Moons Ariel and Miranda

A new study by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University, based on nearly 40-year-old data, suggests that one or two of Uranus' 27 moons, Ariel and/or Miranda, are expelling material into space[1][2]. This release of plasma occurs through an "unknown and mysterious" mechanism, possibly due to oceans beneath their icy surfaces[2]. The researchers retested data from NASA Voyager 2's low-energy charged particle instrument, which took measurements of magnetic fields and radiation in the Uranus system in 1986[1].

"It is not uncommon for energy particle measurements to be a precursor to the discovery of an ocean world," said Cohen, APL’s principal author of the study[3]. Similar data types have previously provided evidence that Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus have liquid oceans beneath their icy surfaces[3].

In Uranus' case, the particles were "extremely confined near the magnetic equator of Uranus," which was unusual since magnetic waves would typically cause them to spread[3]. These particles were confined between Ariel and Miranda, leading researchers to believe they originated from one or both moons[3]. The team suspects that the particles are emanating from Ariel and/or Miranda through a steam column or spray, similar to what is seen on Enceladus[2][3]. "Right now, it’s about 50-50, just one or the other," Cohen notes[3]. The study's findings have been published in the scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters[3].

References: [1] Two of Uranus' Moons May Harbor Active Oceans ... [2] Two of Uranus' Moons may have active oceans: NASA study [3] Scientists May Have Just Discovered New Oceans in Two ...