Dwarf Planets
By: Alison Messineo
How it began
Space, the world of the unknown. Inside our solar system are black holes, comets, astroids and more. But i've been mostly studying dwarf planets, which are planets that are to small to be major planets. Some of the most interesting things are, Pluto, The top 5 dwarf planets, and What are the dwarf planets. Many people don't know Pluto is 3.6 billion miles from the sun. Or Haumea (another dwarf planet) is the fastest rotating object in our galaxy. As the reader you will understand space just a little bit better, and all you have to do is read.
Pluto
Pluto was discovered February 18, 1930 and was considered a major planet until 2006, when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Pluto is 3.6 billion miles from the sun, thats why it is so hard to see with a telescope! It has 5 moons their names are NIx, Styx, Hydra, Kerberas, and Charon. Pluto got its name from the god of the under world and was named by an 11 year old girl. Some times pluto is the farthest planet from the sun but Pluto and neptune take turns. It takes pluto 248 1/2 years to orbit the sun. Scientists believe it is possible for pluto to have seasons. Pluto's surface temperature is 400*F. It is dark day and night.
Top 5 dwarf planets
The 5 most recognized dwarf planets are Pluto, Haumea, Eris, Ceres, Makemake. Haumea is the third closest dwarf planet from the sun, and has two moons which are Namaka, and Hi'iaka. Ceres has a visit due in 2015! ( this year) It was discovered 45 years before Neptune and much more before Pluto. Eris has once fit into the major planets category but is now a dwarf planet. Last but not least, Makemake which is the third largest dwarf planet behind Eris and Pluto.
What is a dwarf planet?
Dwarf planets are planets that are to small to be a major planets. But to big to fit into a smaller category of planets. Astronauts think their could be about 200- 10,000 dwarf planets in our galaxy. Another definition is a round celestial body that orbits the sun but has no nearby neighbors.
Haumea has one of the weirdest orbits in our galaxy
These are the top 5 dwarf planets.
This is Pluto's structure.
The gray is the crust, and the blue is the partly icy middle core, and lastly the inner core it is the hottest part of the planet.
Sum it up!
See? Aren't the dwarf planets fascinating. The most important thing about them are that they are the misfits of planets, and it makes our galaxy more interesting. Dwarf planets are most likely the most gripping things in our solar system. They make our galaxy unique and one of a kind.
Glossary
reclassified- moved to a different category
orbit- the pathway of a moon planet or comet
moons- their are two types of moons a natural moon like ours or is another word for satellite
gripping- fascinating, interesting
celestial- Positioned in or relating to the sky, or space