Mars and Uranus. Two notable planets that share the solar system with Earth. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, in between Earth and Jupiter. At the same time, Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun, in between Uranus and Neptune. So, both Mars and Uranus are planets living within our solar system, the milky way. But is that all they have in common? Or are there more features that these two planets share? And what about their differences? What are those, and why do they exist? These are interesting questions that we will explore today as we compare Mars and Uranus to each other.
So, what are the main differences between Uranus vs. Uranus? The main differences between Mars and Uranus are size, orbit times, chemical compositions, and temperatures. Uranus is much bigger than Mars, but it takes more time for it to orbit the sun than it does for its counterpart to do the same. Uranus is a gas giant, whereas Mars is a terrestrial planet. And Mars is warmer on its surface but colder at its core.
There are many other fascinating differences between these two planets, so let’s explore them, shall we?
What Are The Differences Between Mars and Uranus?
When it comes to what divides the two, Mars and Uranus are different with regard to size, orbit, chemical composition, temperature, number of moons, number of rings, axel tilt, rotation time, and their aesthetic.
Wow. That’s quite a lot of differences to note between Mars and Uranus.
If only we had the information to delve a little deeper here…oh wait! We do!
One by one, let’s further explore the differences between Mars and Uranus.
Size and Mass
Are planets don’t come in different shapes, but they do come in different sizes.
When comparing Uranus and Mars in terms of size, it is Uranus that comes out as clearly the bigger planet.
Uranus has a diameter of 50,724km, which is clearly bigger when compared to Mars’ diameter of a 6,779km.
Uranus has a surface area of 8.083 billion square kilometers which is, again, clearly bigger when compared to Mars’ surface area of a mere 144.8 million square kilometers.
And finally, Uranus has a mass of approximately 102 trillion trillion metric tons, which is heavier than Mars’s approximate figure of 642,000,000 trillion metric tons.
Based on these figures, Uranus is the third biggest planet in our solar system, only smaller than Saturn and Jupiter. Mars, however, is the seventh biggest planet in our solar system, meaning that it’s only bigger than mercury, the first planet from the sun.
Orbit of the Sun
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun, and Mars is the fourth planet from the sun.
Distance from the sun is an important factor that influences a lot of processes. One of those processes it influences is how long an object that is a certain distance from the sun takes to orbit the sun one time.
Mars is much closer to the sun than Uranus is. Consequently, it takes much less time for Mars to orbit the sun just once than it does for Uranus too.
Before we get into the figures, it’s important to remember that Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, while Uranus is the seventh.
Mars takes about 687 days to orbit the sun.
Uranus takes a whopping 84 years to orbit the sun, yes, just once!
Chemical Composition
Two types of planets populate our solar system. Of the eight planets, you can split them into two categories of four based on their chemical composition.
These two categories of planets are gas planets and terrestrial planets.
Uranus and Mars fall into separate categories, so there’s another difference that splits the two.
Uranus falls into the gas giant category. A gas giant is a planet composed of gasses, primarily these gasses being hydrogen and helium. As well as hydrogen and helium, Uranus also consists of water, methane, and ammonia fluids.
The other three gas giants in our solar system are Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Mars falls into the terrestrial planet category. A terrestrial planet is a planet composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals. Mars is mainly composed of iron, nickel, and sulfur.
The other three terrestrial planets in our solar system are Earth, Mercury, and Venus.
Temperature
Now, when it comes to temperature, we need to look at two measurements.
The first is the measurement of how warm a planet is on its surface. The second is how warm a planet is at its core.
Mars is warmer than Uranus on its surface. Mars has a surface temperature of approximately -88.6 degrees Fahrenheit (-67 degrees Celsius), whereas Uranus’s surface temperature is approximately -319 degrees Fahrenheit (-195 degrees Celsius).
The most obvious explanation for why Mars is warmer is down, once again, to that significant factor which is the distance from the sun. Mars is much closer to the sun than Uranus, so the rays of sunshine that hit its surface are stronger and warmer than those that reach Uranus.
When it comes to core temperature, though, Uranus is actually warmer than Mars. Uranus has a core temperature of approximately 9,032 degrees Fahrenheit (5,000 degrees Celsius), whereas Mars has a core temperature of approximately 2,462 degrees Fahrenheit (1,350 degrees Celsius).
The most obvious explanation this time for why this is the case is because Uranus is a gas giant, so it produces more of its own heat from its core compared to Mars.
Number of Moons
Both have moons, but who has the most?
It’s Uranus, with an impressive array of 27 moons. Mars has just the 2!
Rings
One has rings; the other doesn’t.
Who doesn’t? Mars.
So how many does Uranus have? These rings mainly consist of asteroids, comets, and even shattered moons.
Axel Tilt and Rotation
Planets tilt on their axel point. Some tilt significantly, others not so much.
Mars has an axial tilt of 25 degrees compared to Uranus, which tilts at about 98 degrees.
They also differ when it comes to how long it takes for them to rotate once on their axes.
Earth takes 24 hours to rotate once. Each rotation is a day on Earth.
Mars’ days are pretty similar as the planet takes 24 hours to complete one rotation of its axis.
But Uranus is even quicker, as it takes just 17 hours to complete one rotation of its own.
Aesthetic
Mars is that famous red we’ve come to know, while Uranus is a wonderful cyan blue.
What Are The Similarities Between Mars and Uranus?
When it comes to what unites them, Mars and Uranus are similar in terms of orbit pattern and shape, having hotter core temperatures, multiple moons, a gravitational pull force, an inability to host human life, and to date, no visits from humans at all.
So, while they are both very different planets for various reasons, there are some things about Mars and Uranus that are the same.
Let’s take a look, in more depth, at the key similarities between these two planets of The Milky Way.
Orbit Pattern
Mars may orbit the sun in a much shorter amount of time compared to Uranus. However, Mars shares the pattern through which it orbits the sun with Uranus.
Both Mars and Uranus have circular orbits of the sun.
Both Are Spherical In Shape
Despite their vast differences regarding size, mass, and density, Uranus and Mars are both spherical in shape.
Both Have a Hotter Central Core
Uranus has a hotter core than Mars, but Mars has a hotter surface area than Uranus.
What they do share is the fact that their core temperatures are much warmer than their surface temperatures.
Both Have Multiple Moons
Not only is the presence of a moon in orbit a fact for both of these planets, but it is also true that Mars and Uranus have multiple moons.
Mars only just fits into the multiple moons category by having a total of 2. Uranus, however, is well into the multiple moons category with a grand total of 27.
Gravitational Pull
Mars and Uranus are objects in our solar system that possess a gravitational pull force that interacts with the rest of the universe.
Their gravitational pull ensures that their moons continue to orbit them within close proximity.
In the case of Uranus, the gravitational pull also keeps their rings within close proximity.
Can’t Support Human Life
We can’t live on either of these two planets for many reasons, but two stand out.
Number 1, there isn’t oxygen on either Mars or Uranus.
Number 2, our bodies withstand the hostile temperatures.
So Uranus and Mars can’t support and host human life.
Humans Haven’t Visited
Humanity has traveled into space and onto the moon.
We have sent robots further afield.
But so far, a human hasn’t traveled beyond the moon. However, it’s inevitable that they soon will.
At this moment in time, we are unable to travel to Mars, so we definitely can’t travel to Uranus, which is much further away.
Finally
Mars and Uranus. Two brilliant planets that, while they are very different, also share a lot in their existence together in the same solar system.
Other planetary comparisons you may want to see:
- Mars vs Venus [How Do The Planets Differ?]
- Mars Vs Neptune [How Do The Planets Differ?]
- Saturn vs Mars [How Do The Planets Differ?]
- Mars vs Jupiter [How Do The Planets Differ?]
Hey, my name is Jeremy. I’m a passionate and seasoned astronomer who loves nothing more than observing the night sky. I also love researching, learning, and writing all things Space and the Universe. I created Astronomy Scope to share my knowledge, experience, suggestions, and recommendations of what I have learned along the way while helping anyone to get into and maximize their enjoyment of the hobby.