Uranus - A Tilted Ice Giant, Gentle Twin with Diamond Rain
Origin & Age
Earth is ~4.6 billion years old; Uranus formed around the same time as the seventh planet from the Sun. It is an ice giant—largely hydrogen, helium, and “ices” such as water, ammonia, and methane.
Uranus Specs
| Item | Value | Versus Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Age | ~4.6 billion years | Same |
| Diameter | 50,724 km | ~4× Earth |
| Mass | 14.5 Earth masses | — |
| Gravity (cloud tops) | ~0.89 g | Slightly lower |
| Mean temp. | ~−195°C | Much colder |
| Atmosphere | ~83% H2, ~15% He, ~2% CH4 | Not breathable |
| Axial tilt | ~98° (sideways) | Extreme seasons |
| Can humans move bare-skinned? | No (frigid, toxic) | Impossible |
| With spacesuit? | No (no solid surface; pressure rises with depth) | Impossible |
Structure & Composition
From top to depth: a hydrogen–helium atmosphere tinted blue-green by methane; a deep mantle of high-pressure “ices” (H2O, NH3, CH4); and a small rocky/icy core buried within. There is no solid ground to land on.
Diamond Rain (Hypothesized)
Under immense pressure and temperature, methane may dissociate and carbon can crystallize into diamonds that fall like rain toward deeper layers. Laboratory experiments support the physics, making diamond rain a compelling—though still unconfirmed—feature of Uranus (and Neptune).
Climate — the Gentler Twin
Compared with Neptune’s violent storms, Uranus is relatively calm: fewer prominent bands or spots, weaker winds, and low internal heat output. Think of Uranus as the gentler twin, while Neptune is the stormy sibling.
Why There Is No Granite
Granite forms via water-aided re-melting and long-term tectonic recycling on rocky planets. Uranus lacks a crustal surface and plate tectonics; any rocky material is confined to the deep interior. As a result, granite cannot form or be exposed.
Contrast with Earth
Uranus is a rockless ice giant with a sideways tilt and possible diamond rain. Earth, with liquid water and plate tectonics, built granite continents—the stage for culture and civilization.
Summary
- Origin: ~4.6 Ga; seventh planet with a ~98° axial tilt
- Composition: H/He atmosphere, high-pressure ices, deep rocky/icy core
- Climate: comparatively gentle; low internal heat
- Diamond rain: hypothesized under deep pressure
- Granite: cannot form; no crust or plates
Uranus has no granite and cannot produce the granite products sold by japanstones.shop.