Eris: The Dwarf Planet

Eris is a dwarf planet located in the outer regions of our solar system. It was discovered in 2005 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California. Eris is named after the Greek goddess of strife and discord.

Characteristics of Eris:

• Eris is the largest dwarf planet in our solar system, with a diameter of about 2,326 kilometers (1,445 miles).
• It is located in the scattered disc, a distant region of the solar system that contains many small icy bodies.
• Eris has one known moon, called Dysnomia, which is named after the daughter of Eris in Greek mythology.
• Its surface is mostly covered with frozen methane and nitrogen, similar to the surface of Pluto.
• Eris has a highly elliptical orbit that takes it from about 38 to 98 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. (1 AU is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.)

Comparison with Pluto:

Eris was at the center of a debate that ultimately led to the reclassification of Pluto. Its discovery prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to reconsider the definition of a planet, leading to the reclassification of Pluto as a "dwarf planet" in 2006.

Study Guide:

If you want to learn more about Eris, here are some key points to focus on:

1. What are the main characteristics of Eris?
2. How was Eris discovered, and who discovered it?
3. What is the significance of Eris in the reclassification of Pluto?
4. What is the composition of Eris's surface, and how does it compare to other icy bodies in the outer solar system?
5. What is the orbital pattern of Eris, and how does it differ from the major planets in our solar system?

By studying these aspects of Eris, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing dwarf planet and its significance in our solar system.