The Interiors of Uranus and Neptune: Current Understanding and Open Questions

TL;DR

This review discusses current knowledge and open questions about the interior structures and compositions of Uranus and Neptune, emphasizing their differences and highlighting areas for future research and observations.

Contribution

It synthesizes existing knowledge on Uranus and Neptune's interiors and identifies key open questions and future research directions.

Findings

Uncertain internal compositions of Uranus and Neptune

Differences in internal structures may explain planetary diversity

Need for targeted space missions to resolve open questions

Abstract

Uranus and Neptune form a distinct class of planets in our solar system. Given this fact, and ubiquity of similar-mass planets in other planetary systems, it is essential to understand their interior structure and composition. However, there are more open questions regarding these planets than answers. In this review we concentrate on the things we do not know about the interiors of Uranus and Neptune with a focus on why the planets may be different, rather than the same. We next summarize the knowledge about the planets' internal structure and evolution. Finally, we identify the topics that should be investigated further on the theoretical front as well as required observations from space missions.