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∆ Uranus is four times bigger across than our own planet.

All topsy–turvy Every planet spins around like a top as it travels in its orbit around the Sun. Most planets spin around in a nearly upright position in relation to the direction they are traveling. Their axis —the imaginary line around which they spin—is nearly at right angles to the direction they travel. Uranus is different. Its axis leans right over and lies nearly in the direction the planet travels. So, compared with the other planets, Uranus spins on its side. This means that, as it travels around the Sun, its poles face toward and away from the Sun in turn. Each pole spends 42 years in the sunlight, followed by 42 years in darkness.

∆ In Greek mythology, Uranus was god of the heavens. He was killed by Saturn, who was his youngest son.

∆ The axis of Uranus is tilted right over. No other planet’s axis is tilted over like this.

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