Pluto

Pluto is a dwarf planet in our solar system, located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune. It was considered the ninth planet in our solar system until 2006 when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified it as a dwarf planet.

Characteristics of Pluto

• Size: Pluto is smaller than Earth's moon, with a diameter of about 2370 kilometers.
• Orbit: Pluto has an elliptical orbit that takes about 248 Earth years to complete.
• Atmosphere: Pluto has a thin atmosphere primarily composed of nitrogen, with traces of methane and carbon monoxide.
• Moons: Pluto has five known moons, the largest of which is Charon.
• Surface: Pluto's surface is diverse, with large regions of frozen nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide. It also has mountain ranges made of water ice.

Discovery and Exploration

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. It was first explored in detail by the New Horizons spacecraft, which conducted a flyby of Pluto in July 2015, providing the first close-up images and data about the dwarf planet.

Study Guide

To study and understand the topic of Pluto, you should focus on the following key points:

1. Pluto's classification as a dwarf planet by the IAU
2. Characteristics of Pluto, including its size, orbit, atmosphere, moons, and surface features
3. Discovery of Pluto and its exploration by the New Horizons spacecraft
4. Comparing and contrasting Pluto with the other planets in our solar system
5. The significance of studying dwarf planets like Pluto in our understanding of the solar system and the universe

Additionally, it's important to stay updated with any new discoveries or developments related to Pluto, as our knowledge of the dwarf planet continues to evolve.