Scientists have discovered why Neptune and Uranus are distinct colors while sharing many similarities.

The two planets are identical in mass, size, and atmospheric makeup, but Neptune appears noticeably bluer than its neighbor.

According to a recent Oxford University research, this is due to a layer of haze on both worlds.

If not for the haze, their looks would be similar, according to main author Professor Patrick Irwin.

Researchers constructed a model to represent aerosol layers in the atmospheres of both planets using data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the NASA infrared telescope facility, and the Gemini North Telescope.

The model has three haze layers of varying heights. The intermediate layer of haze on Uranus is thicker than on Neptune, which influences the visible color.

Methane ice condenses in the intermediate layer of both planets, generating a shower of methane snow that pushes haze particles further into the atmosphere, according to scientists. Neptune’s atmosphere is more active and turbulent, implying that it is more efficient at creating snow, which eliminates more haze and maintains Neptune’s middle layer thinner.
As a result, Neptune seems bluer, but extra haze on Uranus accumulates in the slow atmosphere and creates a lighter colour.
A second, deeper stratum was also included in the model.

When it gets dark, black spots appear on Neptune, such as the well-known Dark Spot GDS-89.

“This is the first model to concurrently fit measurements of reflected sunlight from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths,” stated Professor Irwin.

According to co-researcher Dr Mike Wong of the University of California, explaining the variance in color across the planets was a “unexpected benefit” of the concept.