This is an image of Uranus' atmosphere.
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NASA

An Overview of Motions in Uranus' Atmosphere

Motions of air in the atmosphere include wind. The major winds in the Uranian atmosphere are zonal winds, which have zones blowing west and belts flowing east.

Motion of air in the atmosphere can also happen by diffusion. There is a continual circulation within the atmosphere from the top to the bottom. Ethane moves down through the atmosphere and collects at the bottom where it breaks apart and becomes methane. The methane returns to the top of the atmosphere and is transformed into methane again. This perpetual breakdown and assembly of methane and ethane is part of the development of Uranus and affects its weather.


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Altitude Changes in the Belts & Zones

On Uranus, as on Jupiter, the winds in the belts and zones blow first in one direction, then in the opposite direction. Wind blows east in a belt, and west in a zone. The clouds rise up in a belt, and...more

Uranus Weather

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Uranus' Smog

Besides methane, Uranus' atmosphere contains even more complex molecules such as ethane gas. (These gases are similar to the exhaust gases that come out of cars on earth). These molecules form layers of...more

Uranus' Mesosphere

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An Overview of Uranus' Atmospheric Structure

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Why Uranus looks like a "bullseye"

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Uranus Clouds, Overview

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