Which planet is surrounded by methane rings?

The correct answer is Uranus.

Key Points

• Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun in our solar system.
• The planet is surrounded by a set of faint rings composed primarily of methane ice and dust.
• Uranus has a total of 13 rings, which were discovered in 1977.
• The rings of Uranus are much darker than those of Saturn, reflecting only a few percent of the sunlight that falls on them.
• These rings are thought to be relatively young, possibly formed from the debris of colliding moons.

Additional Information

• Composition of Uranus:
  • Uranus is an ice giant composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
  • The methane in Uranus's atmosphere gives the planet its blue-green color.
  • The planet has a small rocky core surrounded by an icy mantle.
• Uranus's Moons:
  • Uranus has 27 known moons, with the largest ones being Titania, Oberon, Ariel, Umbriel, and Miranda.
  • These moons are named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope.
• Axial Tilt:
  • Uranus has an extreme axial tilt of about 98 degrees.
  • This tilt causes it to rotate on its side, making its poles experience prolonged periods of sunlight and darkness.
• Discovery:
  • Uranus was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on March 13, 1781.
  • This discovery expanded the known boundaries of our solar system at the time.