What elements primarily compose Uranus's atmosphere?

The atmosphere of Uranus is predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium. These two elements are the most abundant components found in the gas giants of our solar system, including Uranus. Hydrogen makes up about 83% of the planet's atmosphere, while helium accounts for roughly 15%.

This composition is typical of the outer planets, which primarily consist of lighter gases that were able to remain unscathed by the sun's heat far from its core. This is in stark contrast to terrestrial planets, which have atmospheres that are often richer in heavier gases.

Although other components, such as methane, are also present in Uranus's atmosphere, they do not constitute a primary part when comparing to hydrogen and helium. Methane is what gives Uranus its distinctive blue color due to the absorption of red light. Nonetheless, the core components of hydrogen and helium are what fundamentally define the atmospheric makeup of Uranus, aligning with the characteristics of gas giants.