how long does it take pluto to orbit the sun

How long does it take Pluto to orbit the Sun

Pluto is a dwarf planet located in the outer region of our solar system. It was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system but was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). One of the most common questions people ask about Pluto is how long it takes for the dwarf planet to complete one orbit around the Sun. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question, along with other fascinating facts about Pluto and its orbit.

What is Pluto?

Before we dive into the orbit of Pluto, let's first understand what this dwarf planet is all about. Pluto is a small and icy dwarf planet with a diameter of approximately 2,377 km. It is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of our solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune, and is the largest known dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt. Pluto has five known moons, with the largest being Charon.

How long does it take for Pluto to orbit the Sun

Now, let's get to the main question - how long does it take Pluto to complete one orbit around the Sun? Pluto takes approximately 248 Earth years, or 90,560 Earth days, to complete one orbit around the Sun. This means that Pluto orbits the Sun much slower than Earth, which takes about 365.25 days to complete one orbit.

The orbit of Pluto is also unique in several ways. Firstly, Pluto has a highly eccentric orbit, which means that its orbit is elongated and stretched out like an ellipse. This causes the distance between Pluto and the Sun to vary greatly throughout its orbit. Secondly, Pluto's orbit is tilted at an angle of about 17 degrees to the plane of the ecliptic, which is the plane of orbit of most planets in our solar system. This means that Pluto's orbit is not only eccentric but also inclined.

How long does it take Pluto to orbit the sun?

Why does Pluto orbit the Sun?

Like all objects in our solar system, Pluto orbits the Sun due to the force of gravity. The gravitational force of the Sun pulls on Pluto, causing it to orbit in an elliptical path around the Sun. This force is balanced by the centrifugal force of Pluto as it moves in its orbit, which keeps the dwarf planet in a stable orbit around the Sun.

Interesting Facts About Pluto's Orbit:

  1. Pluto's orbit is highly eccentric, which means that the distance between Pluto and the Sun varies greatly throughout its orbit. This causes Pluto to experience extreme temperature variations, with surface temperatures ranging from -240°C to -218°C.
  2. Pluto's orbit is tilted at an angle of about 17 degrees to the plane of the ecliptic, which is the plane of orbit of most planets in our solar system.
  3. Pluto has a relatively large moon called Charon, which is about half the size of Pluto. Charon is so large in comparison to Pluto that the two objects are often referred to as a double planet.
  4. Pluto is one of the most recently discovered objects in our solar system, having been discovered in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh.
  5. In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto, providing us with the first close-up images and data of the dwarf planet and its moons.

The Importance of Studying Pluto's Orbit:

Studying the orbit of Pluto provides us with valuable information about the formation and evolution of our solar system. Pluto's highly eccentric orbit and tilted axis of rotation suggest that it may have been formed in a different region of our solar system and later migrated to its current location. Additionally, studying Pluto's orbit has practical applications for space exploration. The Kuiper Belt, where Pluto is located, is a region of our solar system that contains many small, icy objects that could be explored for valuable resources, such as water ice and minerals.

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in exploring Pluto and other objects in the Kuiper Belt. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft provided us with the first close-up images and data of Pluto and its moons, and other proposed missions are in development. The European Space Agency is planning a mission called JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer), which will study the icy moons of Jupiter, including the possibility of exploring objects in the Kuiper Belt.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pluto's Orbit:

Q: Why was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet?

A: Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006 due to its small size and its location in the Kuiper Belt.

Q: What is the distance between Pluto and the Sun?

A: The average distance between Pluto and the Sun is approximately 5.9 billion km (3.7 billion miles).

Q: What is the significance of Pluto's highly eccentric orbit?

A: Pluto's highly eccentric orbit causes the distance between Pluto and the Sun to vary greatly throughout its orbit, causing extreme temperature variations on its surface.

Q: How many moons does Pluto have?

A: Pluto has five known moons, with the largest being Charon.

Q: What is the significance of studying Pluto's orbit?

A: Studying Pluto's orbit provides us with valuable information about the formation and evolution of our solar system, and helps us to plan future missions to explore the Kuiper Belt and other regions of our solar system.

Conclusion

In summary, Pluto takes approximately 248 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. This means that Pluto orbits the Sun much slower than Earth and most other planets in our solar system. Understanding the orbit of Pluto helps us to better appreciate the dynamics of our solar system and the complex interplay of gravitational forces that keep the planets and other objects in their stable orbits. Whether you're an amateur astronomer or just curious about the world around us, learning about Pluto's orbit is a fascinating journey into the wonders of the universe

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