Technology refers to the application of scientific understanding for practical purposes and can manifest as both physical objects like tools and devices, or as non-physical entities such as software programs. It plays a fundamental role in various fields including science and engineering, and heavily influences everyday life. The evolution of technology has dramatically reshaped society throughout history. Early technologies include primitive tools like stone instruments and the mastery of fire, which were pivotal in the development of language and the human brain. Later on, the invention of the wheel during the Bronze Age facilitated increased mobility and the creation of more intricate machinery. Modern technologies such as the printing press, telephone, and the internet have revolutionized communication, paving the way for a knowledge-based economy. Despite the many benefits that technology brings, such as economic growth and enhanced quality of life, it also has potential adverse effects, such as pollution, resource depletion, and job losses due to automation. These challenges have sparked debates about the role of technology in society, ethical considerations, and strategies to address possible negative consequences. The term 'technology' has its roots in the early 17th century, derived from the Greek 'Τεχνολογία', meaning 'systematic treatment'. It is closely associated with the Ancient Greek term 'tékhnē', which described the knowledge required for craftsmanship and included diverse activities like architecture and navigation. During the 19th century, European languages such as German and French began to use their respective terms 'Technik' and 'technique' to encompass all technical arts, whether they involved tools or not.

The endeavor of cataloging star systems has led to a detailed record of minor planets discovered within the solar system. This record credits achievements to both individual astronomers and observatories or institutions that specialize in the observation of celestial bodies such as asteroids, comets, and other objects orbiting in space. As of the beginning of 2022, over six hundred thousand minor planets—each numerically labeled—have been traced back to the efforts of 1,141 astronomers and 253 observatories or astronomical surveys. The discovery of a minor planet is a complex process and involves detailed observations of the solar system's smaller members. Those recognized for their discoveries are listed with a number of attributes including their name, the overall count of planets they've discovered (with exclusivity to those that have been given a numerical designation), and in the case of individual astronomers, their dates of birth and death. Institutions, on the other hand, are noted with their unique alphanumeric code designated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Links provided in these records connect to more extensive articles or to categories that group discoveries based on the discoverer or institution's contribution. However, an important note is that astronomers with fewer discoveries often lack an individual category, as there isn't ample information to create a separate Wikipedia page for them. When an astronomer is credited with discovering only one minor planet, the link directs to that specific celestial body in the grand list of minor planets. For institutions, the country of location is also noted, giving context to their geographical origins and areas of operation.

Our understanding of Uranus has mostly come from distant observations and a singular encounter with NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft, which flew closest to the planet on January 24, 1986. During this historic flyby, Voyager 2 uncovered 10 previously unknown moons of Uranus and provided detailed observations of its frigid atmosphere. Moreover, the spacecraft detected two new rings surrounding the planet, adding to the known complexity of its ring system. Images captured by Voyager 2 revealed that the planet's five main moons were heavily marked with impact craters and featured expansive canyons, indicating a varied geological history. Though several missions have been considered to further investigate Uranus, as of 2023, none have received the green light. During its mission, Voyager 2 came within 81,500 kilometers of Uranus, marking its first encounter with a planet since concluding its observations of Saturn and its moons. With a colossal size and significant mass, Uranus takes a leisurely 84 years to orbit the Sun once, with a single Uranian day lasting just over 17 hours. One of the most intriguing features of Uranus is its extreme axial tilt, likely caused by a massive impact early in the Solar System's formation, which results in its polar regions experiencing prolonged periods of either daylight or darkness. Before the arrival of Voyager 2, scientists had no knowledge of a magnetic field existing at Uranus. To their surprise, the strength of Uranus's magnetic field turned out to be quite similar to Earth's, albeit with much greater fluctuations due to its unusual offset from the planet's center. This atypical magnetic alignment intimates that somewhere between the surface and core, conditions allow for water to conduct electricity, contributing to the generation of the magnetic field. Voyager 2's mission to Uranus has unquestionably expanded our understanding of this enigmatic planet, but there remains much to be discovered with potential future explorations.