FlipFact of the Day: With an axis of spin tilted by 98 degrees (relative to the Solar System’s plane), Uranus basically rotates on its side, making it unique among all the planets. Japanese researchers theorize that a rock the size of Earth may have knocked the blue giant on its side, and that the incident may have helped create its moons.
By the way, attempting to sniff this big, blue ball would be a terrible idea. That’s because of the lethal mix of gases surrounding the planet.
Another reason why you wouldn’t want to do that? Because of the abundance of hydrogen sulfide in its upper atmosphere, Uranus (most likely) smells like farts. Seriously.
Today’s Science History Milestone: On August 13, 1913, English metallurgist Harry Brearley invented stainless steel.
Still remember your 5th-grade science classes? Test your knowledge and see if you still remember these facts and fundamental concepts in human anatomy, biology, botany, and other branches of science. Click here to try the “Are You Smarter Than A Pinoy Fifth-Grader” Challenge.
Follow the hashtag #FlipFacts on Facebook and Instagram to get your daily dose of science trivia!
Cover: National Geographic
References
- https://www.space.com/39123-crash-that-tilted-uranus-made-moons.html
- https://www.iflscience.com/space/study-reveals-uranus-smells-of-farts/
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
