Pluto and Ceres
By: Alex Kharkiv and Jennifer Major
introduction
Pluto and Ceres are two dwarf planets because they're too small to be planets. Pluto was once a planet, but a few years ago it was considered a dwarf planet. Ceres is the biggest object in the asteroid belt. Even though Pluto is bigger than Ceres, they are still very similar.
Pluto
- Once considered a planet, but now it is a dwarf planet.
- Pluto experiences strong winds when its atmosphere is present.
- One of the coldest places in the solar system.
- Hubble shows that Pluto had grown redder over time. (seasonal changes)
- It takes Pluto 248 years to orbit the sun.
- -375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It is 3,670,050,000 miles from the sun.
- Pluto has 3 moons.
- It sometimes crosses in front of Neptune's orbit, and becomes the 8th object from the sun.
Pluto's Moons
Ceres
- Smallest and closest dwarf planet
- Smallest known dwarf planet, but largest object in the asteroid belt.
- Scientist think it may have and ocean and possibly an atmosphere.
- A probe will be sent in 2015.
- Has iron-rich clay.
- -30 degrees Celsius
- Orbits between Mars and Jupiter's asteroid belt.
Comparison
- Both Dwarf Planets.
- Both found to have an atmosphere.
- Both have ice somewhere.
- They're both in the Kuiper Belt.
Differences
- Pluto is bigger than Ceres,
- Ceres is closer to the sun.
- Ceres does not have any moons.
- Pluto is colder than Ceres.
Citation
Choi, Charles. "Pluto, a Ninth Planet that was a Dwarf." Space.com. Tech Media Network, 11 July 2012. Web. 6 Jan. 2014
Wall, Mike. "Meet the Solar Systems Dwarf Planets." Tech Media Network, 22 Aug. 2011. Web. 6 Jan. 2014.
"The Outer Planets." Lasp.colorado.edu. Lasp, Aug. 2007. Web. 6 Jan 2014.