134k GIF NASA Press Release #P-29481

All nine of the "pre-Voyager" rings are visible in this image taken on January 22, 1986. The gray background is visible because the rings are so dark that the light level on the camera had to be extremely sensitive. Voyager 2 confirmed the presence of 11 Uranian rings. The outermost ring is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) wide.

The Discovery of Uranus' Rings

On March 10, 1977, astronomers on board the Kuiper Airborne Observatory, a modified C-141 jet transport, discovered the rings of Uranus. While scientists were waiting for Uranus to occult (pass in front of) the star SAO 158687, they observed that the star's light dimmed repeatedly as the dark rings of Uranus passed between the star and the observatory.

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