What is Pluto?

Pluto is a dwarf planet located in the outer regions of our solar system. It was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, but in 2006, the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet due to its size and its orbit crossing with Neptune's.

Characteristics of Pluto

Pluto is a small, rocky world with a thin atmosphere. It has a highly elliptical orbit that takes it closer to the sun than Neptune for a portion of its orbit. It has five known moons, the largest of which is Charon.

Study Guide

1. History: Research and write a brief history of Pluto, including its discovery and reclassification as a dwarf planet.
2. Physical Characteristics: Describe the physical characteristics of Pluto, including its size, composition, and atmosphere.
3. Orbit and Moons: Explore Pluto's orbit and its five moons. Create a diagram to illustrate its orbit and the moons' positions.
4. Comparison to Planets: Compare and contrast Pluto with the other planets in our solar system. What sets it apart from the others?
5. Exploration: Research any spacecraft missions or future plans to explore Pluto. What have we learned from these missions?

[Pluto] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Our Solar system and beyondScience • Fourth Grade
• Our Solar SystemScience • Eighth Grade