New Model Reveals Layered Interiors of Uranus and Neptune

A study suggests immiscible layers of water and hydrocarbons explain the ice giants' unique magnetic fields and internal structures.

Researchers propose that Uranus and Neptune have two distinct, non-mixing internal layers beneath their atmospheres: a water-rich layer and a deeper hydrocarbon-rich layer.
This layered configuration prevents convection in the deeper layer, explaining the planets' disordered magnetic fields, which differ from Earth's dipolar field.
The study utilized advanced computer simulations, supported by machine learning, to model the high-pressure and high-temperature conditions inside the planets.
The findings align with Voyager 2's gravity and magnetic field measurements from the late 1980s, offering a new perspective on the planets' interiors.
Future NASA missions and laboratory experiments could test the theory, potentially refining our understanding of ice giants and exoplanets with similar compositions.