She’s different, but shines in her own way 🌞 In this photo of Uranus captured by NASAHubble, its auroras are on full display. But unlike other members of the Solar System, the pair of auroras shine on Uranus’s left and right sides instead of at the top and bottom of the planet. This is because of how the magnetic poles of Uranus are oriented. Most planets in our Solar System – like Earth – have magnetic poles on opposite vertical ends of the planet, with some tilting slightly to the side. Uranus, however, is the maverick of the planetary family. Its magnetic poles sit on opposite horizontal ends of the planet, as if the planet was lying on its side. Auroras happen when energetic particles from the Sun collide with a planet’s magnetic shield, transferring their energy to particles in the planet’s atmosphere. When that built-up energy is released, it creates a light show emanating from the magnetic poles. Since Uranus has horizontal poles rather than vertical, its auroras appear o...