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'''Uranus''' is the seventh [[planet]] from the [[sun]], and the third largest. It is named after the father of Greek (and Roman) gods, who also happens to be the god of the sky. Uranus is a [[gas giant]], but despite its great size compared to the [[terrestrial planet| terrestrial planets]], it was not discovered until 1781 by William Herschel, who used a telescope.

'''Uranus''' is the seventh [[planet]] from the [[sun]], and the third largest. To superficial appearances, it is featureless and dull. Yet the circumstances of its formation, and the characteristics of the system of moons and rings that encircle it, make it one of the most remarkable planets in all the [[solar system]].

 

[[William Herschel]] discovered Uranus in 1781. He therefore earned a distinction as the first astronomer to discover a planet not previously known to the ancients. He at first wished to name this world "The Georgian Sidus" after King [[George III]] of [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]]. But [[Johann Bode]] named Uranus after the convention of naming planets after classical gods and goddesses. In this case, Bode named Uranus after the god of [[heaven]] and father of all the other classical gods.

== Orbital characteristics ==

== Orbital characteristics ==

== Physical characteristics ==

== Physical characteristics ==

The planet’s radius is 25,559 km (15,882 miles). Uranus’s atmosphere is about 83 % [[hydrogen]], 15% [[helium]], and 2% [[methane]]. The methane, more than any other constituent, gives Uranus its color. Uranus' atmosphere is relatively featureless; even [[Voyager 2]] did not resolve many more features than can be seen through an earthbound telescope.

Uranus is a [[gas giant]] having a radius of 25,559 km (15,882 miles). Uranus’s atmosphere is about 83 % [[hydrogen]], 15% [[helium]], and 2% [[methane]]. The methane, more than any other constituent, gives Uranus its color. Uranus' atmosphere is relatively featureless; even [[Voyager 2]] did not resolve many more features than can be seen through an earthbound telescope.

==Difficulties for naturalistic theories==

==Difficulties for naturalistic theories==