Pluto is a dwarf planet located in the solar system, in the region known as the Kuiper Belt, beyond the orbit of Neptune. Discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, Pluto has been the subject of great interest and controversy due to its relatively small size and peculiar orbit. There are numerous curiosities and facts about Pluto that you may not have known.
Therefore, in this article we are going to tell you the main curiosities and facts about Pluto that you did not know.
Key features
One of Pluto's most notable characteristics is its size. With an approximate diameter of around 2,370 kilometers, Pluto is significantly smaller than the traditional planets of the solar system. In fact, its size is comparable to that of some moons of other planets, such as Earth's moon, which led to its reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union. You can find out more about how it was classified at .
Another notable feature is its elliptical and inclined orbit. Unlike the more circular and aligned orbits of the inner and outer planets, the orbit of is highly elliptical and significantly inclined relative to the orbital plane of the major planets. This means that at certain times, Pluto is closer to the Sun than Neptune, which last occurred between 1979 and 1999. You can find out more about its orbital peculiarities in the order of the planets.
Furthermore, Pluto It has a moon known as Charon, which is large enough that some scientists consider it a binary system rather than a planet and its moon. This binary system is unique due to its size and relative proximity, making it a fascinating object of study for scientists.
The composition of Pluto is also an object of interest. It is believed to be composed mainly of rock and ice, with a surface covered by a layer of ice made of methane, nitrogen and carbon monoxide. However, its exact composition and the presence of possible geological features remain topics of active research.
Curiosities and data of
Pluto is very small
The diameter of reaches 2.368 kilometers, with a margin of error of about 20 kilometers. In addition, its orbit is characterized by eccentricity, inclination, and a generally peculiar nature. To better understand its characteristics, you can visit .
It has an eccentric, inclined and strange orbit
Among all the planets, Pluto has the most eccentric orbit and exhibits a significant inclination, resulting in an occasional proximity to the Sun that exceeds even that of Neptune. The peculiar nature of this orbit has aroused much curiosity, as it is considered one of the most enigmatic and capricious of all known orbits. In particular, it is the only one.
It has atmosphere
The perihelion of , the closest point to the Sun, reveals a gaseous and poisonous state of its thin atmosphere, which is harmful to human life. On the contrary, during its aphelion phase, When Pluto is furthest from the Sun, this atmosphere freezes and descends on the surface in the form of delicate snow. More about Pluto's tenuous and changing atmosphere.
Rotation speed is very slow
Despite being classified as a dwarf planet, it has an exceptionally long rotation period, ranking it as the second longest in the entire solar system, surpassed only by Venus. If you want to know how long it takes the planets to rotate, you can consult how much weight would you have on other planets.
The planet in question It requires a total of 6 days, 9 hours and 17 minutes to complete one full rotation on its axis. This duration clearly exceeds the 24-hour cycle observed on Earth, but it should be noted that it is nothing like Venus, which takes a staggering 243 days to complete a single rotation.
Jupiter has the distinction of having the fastest rotation cycle of all the planets, completing one revolution in just 10 hours. On the other hand, Pluto rotates in the opposite direction. You can learn more about planetary rotations at .
Pluto's rotation is opposite
The rotation of differs from that of the Earth, resulting in a unique phenomenon in which the Sun appears to rise in the west and set in the east. Similarly, Venus and Uranus share this unique characteristic. Specifically, it takes five hours for light to reach these celestial bodies. If you're interested in learning more, visit What is a planet?.
The light takes 5 hours to arrive
A widely known fact about the planet is its considerable distance from Earth. However, what may surprise you is that this vast expanse requires approximately five hours for sunlight to travel and reach it.
The radiant energy emitted by the Sun takes just eight minutes to travel and reach our planet. It was also once considered the coldest celestial body in our solar system. You can explore these temperatures further in .
It was considered the coldest planet in the solar system
After its classification as a planet (now reclassified as a dwarf planet), it earned the distinction of being the coldest celestial body in our solar system, with temperatures as low as -240 degrees, a position it undoubtedly deserves. The lowest temperature ever documented on our planet reached a chilling -89,2 degrees in the frozen expanse of Antarctica.
Pluto maintains an average temperature of -229 degrees, a stark contrast to Earth's comparatively mild 15 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, a remarkable phenomenon occurs here, where stars are visible even during daylight hours. To learn more about its extreme temperatures, you can visit What color is Pluto?.
You can see the stars during the day
The darkness of the sky is so intense that even during the day, you can easily detect the stars within it. However, that's not the only interesting thing you can see if you look up. With Charon, the largest moon of the planet, very close and with its unique orbit, you can witness the constant presence of this satellite in the planet's sky. But it's important to note that It is always visible from the same side. Also, Pluto takes approximately two hundred and fifty years to complete one orbit around the Sun. You can check how long it takes to complete its orbit at .
It takes 248 years to go around the sun
Of all the planets, Pluto has the longest sidereal orbital period, requiring a staggering 248 years, 197 days and 5,5 hours to complete its journeyIf you want to learn more about orbital motions, check out .
The vast disparity between the time it takes Earth to complete a full orbit—365 days—and the unidentified object in question becomes evident when compared. Speculation suggests that this object may have originated as a stray satellite of Neptune. You can learn more about its possible origin at .
It is thought to have been a satellite of Neptune.
Although there is no universal agreement, there are astronomers who hold the belief that Pluto originated as a satellite of Neptune but managed to free itself from its gravitational influence and It eventually established its own orbit around the Sun. The approach is very plausible and logical, as it bears a striking resemblance to Triton, widely recognized as one of Neptune's best-known moons. You can explore this theory in more detail.
