How Big Is Pluto?
Introduction to Pluto
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system until 2006, when it was reclassified as a “dwarf planet” due to its size and orbit. It was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh and named after the Roman god of the underworld.
Pluto is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune that contains many small icy objects. It has five known moons, the largest of which is Charon, and its surface is covered in nitrogen ice, methane ice, and rocky material.
Despite its small size and distance from Earth, Pluto has been the subject of intense scientific interest and exploration in recent years. In 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft conducted the first flyby of Pluto, sending back detailed images and data about the dwarf planet’s surface and composition. This mission revealed many surprises about Pluto, including evidence of a subsurface ocean and active geology.
Measuring Pluto’s Size
Measuring Pluto’s size accurately has been a challenge for astronomers due to its distance from Earth and small size. The first estimates of Pluto’s diameter in the 1950s were around 3,000 kilometers, but subsequent measurements using more advanced techniques have refined this number.
In 2015, the New Horizons mission provided the most accurate measurements of Pluto’s size to date. It revealed that Pluto has a diameter of 2,377 kilometers, which is about two-thirds the size of Earth’s moon. This makes Pluto the smallest dwarf planet in our solar system, smaller even than some moons.
The size of Pluto is also significant because it determines its mass and density, which provide clues about its composition and internal structure. By measuring the orbits of Pluto’s moons, scientists have been able to estimate its mass, which is about 0.002% the mass of Earth. This means that Pluto’s gravity is much weaker than Earth’s, making it difficult for spacecraft to enter and maintain orbit around it.
Pluto Compared to Other Objects in the Solar System
Compared to the other objects in our solar system, Pluto is relatively small. It is about 70% the size of Earth’s moon and less than one-fifth the size of Earth itself. However, Pluto is still larger than many other objects in the Kuiper Belt, including several other dwarf planets.
One of Pluto’s most notable features is its eccentric orbit, which takes it from about 29 astronomical units (AU) from the sun at its closest point to 49 AU at its farthest point. This means that Pluto’s distance from the sun varies greatly over the course of its orbit, and it takes about 248 Earth years to complete one orbit.
Pluto’s size and orbit also make it unique in the solar system. It is the largest known object in the Kuiper Belt and the second-most-massive known dwarf planet after Eris. Its orbit is also tilted and eccentric, which is unlike the orbits of the eight planets in our solar system that orbit in a flat, nearly circular plane known as the ecliptic.
Pluto’s Controversial Status as a Dwarf Planet
Pluto’s classification as a dwarf planet has been a subject of controversy and debate among astronomers and the public. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a “dwarf planet,” a new category of objects in the solar system that are too small to be considered full-fledged planets.
The IAU’s decision was based on three criteria for planethood: a celestial body must orbit the sun, have enough mass to form a nearly round shape, and “clear” its orbit of other debris. Pluto met the first two criteria but not the third, as its orbit overlaps with the orbits of other objects in the Kuiper Belt.
Some astronomers and members of the public have criticized the decision to reclassify Pluto, arguing that it should be considered a planet based on its historical and cultural significance. Others have argued that the IAU’s definition of a planet is flawed and should be revised to include objects like Pluto.
Regardless of its official classification, Pluto remains a fascinating and important object in the solar system that continues to be the subject of scientific research and exploration.
Future Exploration and Discoveries of Pluto’s Size
Despite the historic flyby of Pluto by the New Horizons spacecraft in 2015, there is still much to learn about this small dwarf planet. Future exploration and discoveries are expected to shed more light on Pluto’s size, composition, and history.
One proposed mission is the Pluto-Kuiper Belt Mission, which would involve a spacecraft visiting Pluto and other objects in the Kuiper Belt. This mission would provide more detailed images and data about Pluto’s surface and composition, as well as explore other objects in the Kuiper Belt.
Another area of interest is studying Pluto’s atmosphere, which was discovered during the New Horizons mission. Scientists believe that Pluto’s atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen, with traces of methane and other gases. Understanding the composition and behavior of Pluto’s atmosphere could provide insights into the planet’s history and evolution.
As technology and scientific knowledge continue to advance, it is likely that more discoveries will be made about Pluto’s size and other characteristics. These discoveries will help us better understand the history and formation of our solar system and the objects that inhabit it.
