Superionic water is just the latest discovery in a long line of astronomical magnetic anomalies. From the magnetic surface of Mars to the fact that Jupiter’s magnetic field is the largest single entity in the solar system, each planet orbiting our sun has a unique magnetic quirk. The two farthest planets from the sun are no different. Neptune and Uranus have some wacky stuff going on with their magnetic fields. Let’s take a closer look. Devotees to our blog should be familiar with Uranus’ magnetism. The fact that the planet rotates on such a strange axis makes its magnetosphere do all sorts of crazy things. However, new research suggests things are even weirder than we thought, and this time its neighbor Neptune is also culpable. What is Superionic Water? Let’s start with the water. H20 existing in multiple states of matter isn’t exactly shocking. Look around our own planet and you’ll see examples of both. However, these two states of matter are pretty much mutually exclusive. In other words, water is either a liquid or ice. This isn’t the case on Neptune and Uranus. Water appears to exist as a liquid and a solid simultaneously. These simultaneous states are known as superionic water. In other words, due to the incredible heat generated on Uranus and Neptune cause the electrons in the hydrogen atoms to change structure and pass from one atom to the next. However, the two gas giants also subject the water to unimaginable levels of pressure. This keeps the electrons contained. The result is essentially an identity crisis and the superionic water exists as both a liquid and a solid at the same time. A Well-Hydrated Magnetic Field So what does superionic water have to do with Uranus and Neptune’s magnetic fields? The presence, and abundance, of superionic water in the mantles of these two planets could provide crucial information regarding the behavior of their respective magnetic fields. It helps to compare their magnetic fields to Earth’s. Our own planet is fueled by a core of molten iron. This iron flows in such a way that the negatively charged electrons provide a similar magnetic field. The magnetism is strongest at the center of the planet and held in place by our north and south poles. Conversely, Neptune and Uranus are gaseous planets and lack the ferromagnetic iron we have. Instead, a very thick layer, or mantle, of this superionic water. Although metals like Earth’s iron will always be a better conductor than nonmetals like water, the end result is still the same. In other words, the magnetic fields on Neptune and Uranus are generated through positively charged water molecule protons, vice the negatively charged electrons we see in Earth’s iron core. A Unique Spin of Magnetism The presence of superionic water could settle a 30-year-old mystery. The differences in the way these gas giants’ magnetic fields are generated could account for the odd axes on which they spin. Both planets turn on their sides, as they are not anchored by the same magnetic poles Earth is. Instead, Uranus and Neptune’s magnetism comes from pockets of activity in their respective mantles, leading to big balls of wibbly wobbly (not a technical term, don’t @ us) rotation. This was first observed by the Voyager 2 satellite NASA launched in the 1980s and has left astronomers and astrophysicists scratching their heads ever since. While new evidence suggests superionic not only exists but may be the driving force behind the strange magnetism observed on Neptune and Uranus, these findings are still in their early stages. Make sure to check back here for all the latest magnetic news!