The more astronomers study Uranus, the more interesting it gets.
For the first time, scientists have discovered X-rays being belched from the solar system's seventh planet, based on a mysterious conclusion of a new study.
While some of the signal may be reflected solar emissions, some appear to be originating from Uranus itself, a NASA statement says.
According to new research that analyzed observations of Uranus gathered by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in 2002 and 2017, beams of X-rays were clearly detected.
What could cause the cold giant planet to release X-rays? The answer: the Sun. Both Saturn and Jupiter have been found to discharge X-ray given off by the Sun, and the study suggests Uranus does the same.
If some of the X-rays discovered are indeed coming from Uranus itself, rather than solar reflections, a few phenomenon could be at play, the astronomers wrote.
However, not all of the X-ray emissions can be explained, and NASA has called for scientists to look in more detail.
Scientists were particularly drawn to examine Uranus in X-rays because the planet's alignment is quite mixed up.
Uranus lies on its side and its magnetic field's axis is akimbo from its orbital plane and spin axis, scientists say.
"While the authors of the new Uranus study initially expected that most of the X-rays detected would also be from scattering, there are tantalizing hints that at least one other source of X-rays is present," NASA said in a news release.
Astronomers hope that future analysis by Chandra may help uncover what's happening at Uranus.
Planned missions may also help examine the planet's X-ray emissions, particularly the European Space Agency's Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA), set to launch in 2031.
NASA is also planning to launch its Lynx X-ray Observatory after its Nancy Grace Roman Telescope at a yet to be announced date.
