Abstract
We present simple two-layer models of Uranus with rocky core and polytropic envelope satisfying exactly the observed mass, radius and the gravitational moments. The models show that the value of the fourth order zonal harmonic isJ 4 ≲−38×10−6, whileJ 6 ≈ 10−6. More elaborate threelayer models fail to satisfy the observational constraints of the ice/rock ratio and/or of the rotation period. We conclude that three-layer models with uniform chemical composition in each layer may be too restrictive. More realistic models should account for variable chemical composition within each layer.
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Horedt, G.P., Hubbard, W.B. Two-and three-layer models of Uranus. The Moon and the Planets 29, 229–236 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930949
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930949