Last modified on 9 January 2015, at 08:21

Wikijunior:Solar System/Uranus/Ariel

Ariel as seen by Voyager 2

Ariel is a moon of Uranus. The first and only observations of Ariel were made by Voyager 2 during its January 1986 flyby of Uranus. Only the Southern hemisphere was photographed, since the moon's south pole was pointed towards the Sun.

How big is Ariel?Edit

Ariel is about 1157.8 km wide.

What is its surface like?Edit

The surface of Ariel does not have many craters. It has a huge network of fault canyons and liquid water outflows over its surface.

How long is a day on Ariel?Edit

One day on Ariel is equal to 2.52 days on Earth.

How long is its orbit around Uranus?Edit

One Orbit around Uranus is also equal to 2.52 days.

What is it made of?Edit


How much would Ariel's gravity pull on me?Edit


Your weight in newtons would be less on Ariel, only about 0.27 times what it is on Earth. To find your weight in newtons as you stand on Ariel, just take your weight on Earth, and if that weight is in kilograms, multiply it by 2.65. If that weight is in pounds, multiply it by 1.2 to get newtons. But then you'll have to add in the weight of your spacesuit as well, because that is pressing down on the surface just like you are.

Who is it named after?Edit

Ariel is named after a sylph, a creature made of air, in Alexander Pope's poem Rape of the Lock.

How was it discovered?Edit

Ariel was discovered on October 24, 1851 by William Lassell. He also discovered Umbriel at the same time.