Pluto and the dwarf planets Flashcards
What spacecraft was sent to Pluto and when?
The spacecraft New Horizons in 2014
How was Pluto discovered?
Pluto was discovered when Clyde Tombaugh was comparing two plates of the stars and noticed a new dot
What was the example in the dwarf planet unit?
The video by Fraser Cain explaining how pluto was discovered
What is special about Pluto’s moon Charon’s orbit?
It is a binary system, meaning they orbit each other as they are about the same size
What is Pluto’s atmosphere, and what does it suggest?
Thin nitrogen atmosphere, has evidence of wind.
When and why was Pluto demoted to a dwarf planet?
In 2006 it was found it didn’t dominate its orbit
What are Pluto’s moons called?
Charon, as well as two smaller moons Nix and Hydra
What is Pluto’s surface like?
Smooth methane glaciers cover the surface
What was the real life application in the dwarf planet unit?
Pluto’s water ice mountains could be used to refuel spaceships in its seperated form
