Lesson 4.8: Shrinking Pluto

When was the Hubble telescope launched and what’s its primary functions?

Launched in 1990, orbits Earth, and provides the clearest detailed views of space available to humans.

What is methane and its chemical formula?

Methane is a chemical compound composed of hydrogen and carbon. It’s chemical formula is CH4.

How is reflectivity defined?

Defined as the ability to reflect light.

What is the Kuiper Belt, and what does is contain?

The Kuiper Belt is an area beyond Neptune that has Pluto, Charon, and other 800 known objects. Scientists argue that Charon shouldn’t be Pluto’s moon and should be part of a binary system due to orbital relationship.

How does Pluto’s size compare to other moons in the solar system?

Pluto is smaller that seven of the moons orbiting other planets, including Earths moon. This size comparison highlights Pluto’s classification as a dwarf planet.

When was th New Horizons Mission launched and what is its speed?

launched in January 19, 2006, and travels at a soles of 36,260 mph which is the fastest speed for a spacecraft.

What was the main reason of the New Horizons mission in 2015?

To fly near Pluto, the spacecraft to do so.

How does Pluto’s distance from the sun affect its visibility?

Pluto’s orbit is about 40xs farther from the sun than Earth, affecting its visibility. The Hubble Telescope can’t produce clear images of Pluto due to its distance.

What were the historical size estimates of Pluto?

Initially, Pluto was thought to be a big planet, referred to as Planet X was affecting Uranus and Neptune’s orbit. By the 1950s, it was considered as the size of Mars. By the mid-1970s, the discoveries revealed the true size.

What discoveries have been made concerning Pluto’s size?

Brightness studies showed Pluto has frozen methane, which reflects light. Its mass is calculated to be no bigger than 1% of Earths mass. In 1978, Charon was found to be more than half the size of Pluto. Pluto and Charon were once seen as as a single dot of light, which led to thinking Pluto was bigger than it is. Pluto has a mass about equal to earths mass.

What is the surface composition of Pluto?

Light wave analysis show that Pluto’s surface is about 98% frozen nitrogen. Confirmation and clearer images waited from New Horizons.

What was the journey beyond Pluto?

After Pluto, New Horizons will keep going through the Kuiper Belt. The mission hopes to find other big objects in this far area, including looking for items bigger than Pluto, like the dwarf Eris.