Pluto

Pluto is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the outer solar system. It was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system but was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006.

Characteristics of Pluto

• Size: Pluto is smaller than Earth's moon, with a diameter of approximately 1,473 miles (2,370 kilometers).
• Orbit: It takes Pluto about 248 Earth years to complete one orbit around the sun.
• 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.

Discovery and Exploration

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft conducted a flyby of Pluto, providing the first close-up images and scientific data of the dwarf planet.

Study Guide for Pluto

1. What is the current classification of Pluto in our solar system?
2. How does the size of Pluto compare to Earth's moon?
3. What is the composition of Pluto's atmosphere?
4. How long does it take Pluto to complete one orbit around the sun?
5. How many moons does Pluto have, and what is the name of its largest moon?
6. Who discovered Pluto, and when was it discovered?
7. Which spacecraft conducted a flyby of Pluto in 2015, providing close-up images and scientific data?

For more information about Pluto and other celestial objects, continue exploring the wonders of our universe!