A new study using the Hubble Space Telescope revealed that Uranus' moons Titania and Oberon are darker on their leading hemispheres due to dust from irregular moons.
Contrary to expectations, the darkening on the leading hemispheres of Titania and Oberon is caused by dust accumulation arising from tiny micrometeorites impacting the moons.
The study, presented by researcher Christian Soto at STScI, was shared at the 246th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
Researchers had anticipated darker trailing hemispheres on the moons due to radiation from charged particles in Uranus' magnetosphere.
The tidally locked nature of Uranus' moons, with the same hemisphere always facing the planet, contributes to this phenomenon.
Investigator Richard Cartwright from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory cited Uranus' extreme axial tilt as a factor influencing the magnetic field interaction with the moons.
Dust accumulation hitting the leading hemispheres of Titania and Oberon is shielding the inner moons from darkening.
The unexpected findings challenge previous assumptions about the interaction between Uranus' magnetic field and its moons.
The research suggests a unique dust collection explanation for the dark sides of Titania and Oberon, contrary to the anticipated effects from Uranus' magnetosphere.
This study sheds light on the complex interplay of factors influencing the surfaces of Uranus' largest moons.