Voyager 2's 1986 Uranus Flyby Misled Scientists Due to Rare Solar Event

New research reveals that a solar wind anomaly during Voyager 2's visit distorted our understanding of Uranus' magnetosphere.

Voyager 2's 1986 flyby of Uranus occurred during a rare solar wind event, affecting the data collected on the planet's magnetosphere.
The solar wind compressed Uranus' magnetosphere, leading to intense radiation belts and low plasma density that misrepresented typical conditions.
The study suggests that Uranus' magnetosphere is not as extreme as previously thought, occurring only 5% of the time in the state observed by Voyager 2.
This new understanding opens possibilities for Uranus' moons being geologically active, contrary to earlier beliefs of their inertness.
The findings highlight the need for a dedicated mission to Uranus to gain accurate insights into its magnetic environment and potential for life.