Interesting Trivia Facts About Planet Pluto! Quiz

Pluto is referred to as a dwarf planet because it does not meet the criteria to be classified as a full-fledged planet. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the definition of a planet, and Pluto did not meet the requirement of clearing its orbit of other debris. As a result, it was reclassified as a dwarf planet, which is a distinct category of celestial bodies that share some similarities with planets but do not fulfill all the criteria.

Pluto was demoted as a planet in 2006. This decision was made by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) during their General Assembly. The IAU redefined the criteria for what qualifies as a planet, and Pluto no longer met the new definition. It was reclassified as a "dwarf planet" instead. This decision was controversial and sparked debates among scientists and the general public.

Pluto was discovered in 1930. This was the year when astronomer Clyde Tombaugh first observed the celestial body while working at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona. After several months of studying photographs, Tombaugh identified Pluto as the ninth planet in our solar system. However, in 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the definition of a planet, and Pluto was reclassified as a "dwarf planet."

Clyde Tombaugh is the correct answer because he was the American astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930. He made this discovery while working at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Tombaugh's meticulous observations and analysis of photographic plates led to the identification of the ninth planet in our solar system. His discovery of Pluto was a significant contribution to the field of astronomy and expanded our understanding of the outer reaches of our solar system.

Pluto, MakeMake, Haumea, and Eris are all classified as Plutoids. The term "Plutoid" refers to dwarf planets that are similar to Pluto in terms of their characteristics and location in the solar system. These objects are located beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt, a region filled with icy bodies. Eris, like Pluto, possesses a sufficient mass to be rounded by its own gravity and is considered one of the largest dwarf planets. Therefore, Eris fits the criteria to be classified as a Plutoid alongside Pluto, MakeMake, and Haumea.

Pluto's orbit is 248 years long. This means that it takes Pluto approximately 248 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. This is a significant amount of time compared to the shorter orbital periods of other planets in our solar system.

Pluto, being the farthest planet from the Sun in our solar system, experiences extremely low temperatures. The average temperature on Pluto is approximately -375 degrees Fahrenheit. This frigid temperature is due to the lack of sunlight and the thin atmosphere on Pluto, which is composed mostly of nitrogen and methane. The extremely low temperatures make Pluto an inhospitable and frozen world.

Pluto has five known moons: Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra. These moons orbit Pluto and were discovered through various astronomical observations and studies. However, it's essential to check for any updates or new discoveries since scientific knowledge can evolve over time.

Pluto's atmosphere is composed of methane.

Pluto is composed of frozen methane and other ices. This means that the surface of Pluto is primarily made up of frozen methane, as well as other types of ices. Methane is a volatile compound that freezes at low temperatures, making it a common component of Pluto's icy surface. The presence of other ices suggests that there are various frozen compounds on Pluto, contributing to its composition.