Decades ago, students were taught that the solar system was composed of nine (9) planets –Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto as the smallest planet. However, scientific studies and findings prove that things can be changed through the course of time.
Since its discovery in 1930, there has been a debate and numerous studies and researches as to Pluto’s classification of being a planet. After seven and a half decades of enjoying its post as the solar system’s ninth planet, Pluto was now declared as a “dwarf planet”. This is in accordance to the definition of followed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). To be considered as a planet, it must meet the three (3) requirements and Pluto doesn’t pass the 3rd condition.
Pluto orbits the sun just like other planets, but it is smaller that it cannot clear other objects out of its path.
And now, after being declared as a minor planet, there is something that makes Pluto more interesting – ICE. Yes, Pluto is covered with ice! The temperature on Pluto according to NASA ranges from 375 to 400 degrees which makes it very very cold. However, initial findings made it hard to determine the amount of frozen water present in its surface. Nevertheless, based on the recent map that NASA revealed which is according to the two (2) Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) instrument scans, majority of the visible surface of Pluto is covered with ice. The map derived from observations last year, displays the shadowlike features of water ice are copious on Pluto’s surface.
Likewise, the dwarf planets orbital period of 248 Earth years which means that winter can last decades.
Definitely, winter has come to Pluto and is staying for a long period of time.
Source:
www.nasa.gov www.iau.org
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3423626/Pluto-DOESN-T-icy-heart-Stunning-new-maps-reveal-far-ice-water-dwarf-planet-expected.html
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/pluto-is-covered-in-frozen-water-lots-of-frozen-water/
http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/13/solar-system-simulation-music/
http://mashable.com/2015/07/12/pluto-new-horizons-mission-nasa/
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/pluto-is-covered-in-frozen-water-lots-of-frozen-water/
Since its discovery in 1930, there has been a debate and numerous studies and researches as to Pluto’s classification of being a planet. After seven and a half decades of enjoying its post as the solar system’s ninth planet, Pluto was now declared as a “dwarf planet”. This is in accordance to the definition of followed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). To be considered as a planet, it must meet the three (3) requirements and Pluto doesn’t pass the 3rd condition.
- It needs to be in orbit around the Sun;
- It needs to have enough gravity to pull itself into a spherical shape; and
- It needs to have “cleared the neighborhood” of its orbit.
Pluto orbits the sun just like other planets, but it is smaller that it cannot clear other objects out of its path.
And now, after being declared as a minor planet, there is something that makes Pluto more interesting – ICE. Yes, Pluto is covered with ice! The temperature on Pluto according to NASA ranges from 375 to 400 degrees which makes it very very cold. However, initial findings made it hard to determine the amount of frozen water present in its surface. Nevertheless, based on the recent map that NASA revealed which is according to the two (2) Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) instrument scans, majority of the visible surface of Pluto is covered with ice. The map derived from observations last year, displays the shadowlike features of water ice are copious on Pluto’s surface.
Likewise, the dwarf planets orbital period of 248 Earth years which means that winter can last decades.
Definitely, winter has come to Pluto and is staying for a long period of time.
Source:
www.nasa.gov www.iau.org
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3423626/Pluto-DOESN-T-icy-heart-Stunning-new-maps-reveal-far-ice-water-dwarf-planet-expected.html
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/pluto-is-covered-in-frozen-water-lots-of-frozen-water/
http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/13/solar-system-simulation-music/
http://mashable.com/2015/07/12/pluto-new-horizons-mission-nasa/
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/pluto-is-covered-in-frozen-water-lots-of-frozen-water/
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