Cosmos & Space
Three Models, Two Ice Giants: How Scientists Explain the Strange Births of Uranus and Neptune
Scientists are exploring three main models—outward migration, orbital swap, and giant impact—to explain the formation puzzles of Uranus and Neptune, including their composition, mass differences, and Uranus's extreme tilt. Future missions are needed to gather data to resolve these competing theories.
Marcus Cole·October 20, 2026
