Ariel

Ariel is one of the five regular moons of Uranus. This moon has distinctive chasmata across its surface. Learn all about Ariel here!

Formation

Ariel is believed to have formed through a process known as "accretion." It is thought that Ariel originated from a primordial disk of gas and dust that surrounded the planet during its early formation. Within this disk, solid particles gradually came together, sticking to each other through mutual gravitational attraction. Over time, these particles coalesced to form larger and larger objects, eventually reaching the size of several kilometers in diameter. Ariel's formation likely involved numerous collisions and mergers, resulting in the gradual assembly of a moon with its present-day characteristics.

Surface

Ariel possesses a diverse and intriguing surface that reveals a history of geological activity. Its surface is characterized by a combination of relatively smooth plains and regions with numerous chasmata, which are long, deep canyons or troughs. These chasmata, some of which are over 200 kilometers (124 miles) wide and extend for hundreds of kilometers across the moon's surface, are among the most prominent features on Ariel. They are believed to have formed because of tectonic processes, including extensional forces that caused the moon's crust to crack and create these deep rifts. Ariel's surface also shows evidence of impact craters, although they are generally less numerous than on some other icy moons in the outer solar system.

Structure

The internal structure of Ariel is inferred based on its observed characteristics and geological history. It is believed to consist of several distinct layers. The outermost layer is a relatively thin icy crust, which covers the moon's surface. Beneath the icy crust lies a layer of water ice, possibly containing various impurities and compounds. Deeper within Ariel, there may be a subsurface ocean of liquid water, although the existence and characteristics of this ocean are still theoretical and subject to ongoing research. Beneath the icy layer and potential subsurface ocean is likely a rocky core composed of silicate materials. Ariel's relatively smooth and uncratered regions suggest some degree of resurfacing, possibly driven by past geological activity or tidal heating from interactions with Uranus or other moons.

Satellites

Satellites and spacecraft that have imaged Ariel include the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which conducted a flyby of Uranus in January 1986. Voyager 2 provided the first close-up images of Ariel's surface, revealing its geological features and helping scientists better understand its characteristics. In more recent years, the Hubble Space Telescope has also captured images of Ariel, although at a lower resolution compared to Voyager 2. These observations have contributed to ongoing research and provided valuable data about the moon's surface, geological formations, and its role within the Uranian system.