Difference between revisions of "Pluto"
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[[Image:Pluto3.gif|right|thumb|Pluto(center) with moon [[Charon]]. NASA image]] | [[Image:Pluto3.gif|right|thumb|Pluto(center) with moon [[Charon]]. NASA image]] | ||
| − | The [[dwarf planet]] '''Pluto''', named for the [[Roman]] [[god]] of the [[Underworld]], was discovered in 1930 by [[American]] [[astronomy|astronomer]] [[Clyde Tombaugh]]. | + | The [[dwarf planet]] '''Pluto''', named for the [[Roman]] [[god]] of the [[Underworld]], was discovered in 1930 by [[American]] [[astronomy|astronomer]] [[Clyde Tombaugh]] several years after its location had been predicted by fellow astronomer [[Percival Lowell]]. |
Although it used to be considered to be a planet, in 2006 the [[International Astronomers Union]] demoted Pluto from the status of a [[planet]] to that of a dwarf planet. Recently there have been efforts to restore Pluto's status as a planet.<ref>http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-pluto.artmar15,0,4959275.story?coll=hc-headlines-life</ref> | Although it used to be considered to be a planet, in 2006 the [[International Astronomers Union]] demoted Pluto from the status of a [[planet]] to that of a dwarf planet. Recently there have been efforts to restore Pluto's status as a planet.<ref>http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-pluto.artmar15,0,4959275.story?coll=hc-headlines-life</ref> | ||
Revision as of 15:43, August 7, 2007
The dwarf planet Pluto, named for the Roman god of the Underworld, was discovered in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh several years after its location had been predicted by fellow astronomer Percival Lowell.
Although it used to be considered to be a planet, in 2006 the International Astronomers Union demoted Pluto from the status of a planet to that of a dwarf planet. Recently there have been efforts to restore Pluto's status as a planet.[1]
Pluto has at least three moons, the largest of which is Charon. (The size of Charon is such that Pluto and Charon are often collectively considered to be a binary system.) Pluto has an elliptical orbit. When it was considered to be a planet, it was usually the furthest from the sun, but there are times due to its odd orbit when it is closer than Neptune. Relatively little is known about Pluto. [2]
Pluto is the second-largest known dwarf planet in the solar system (after Eris) and the tenth largest observed body directly orbiting the Sun.[3]
References
- ↑ http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-pluto.artmar15,0,4959275.story?coll=hc-headlines-life
- ↑ http://science.jrank.org/pages/5352/Pluto.html
- ↑ http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070614_eris_mass.html
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