In our solar system, there is a mysterious and fascinating planet, and that is Pluto. Once recognized as the ninth planet, it was stripped of this status by the International Astronomical Union in 2006 and became a "dwarf planet". However, despite its expulsion, Pluto retains its strange and speculative mysteries. So, what is so amazing about this once "one of the nine planets"? What kind of secrets are hidden under its mysterious exterior? Let's embark on a journey with curiosity to discover the mystery of Pluto.
Why is Pluto defined as an "expelled planet"?
We need to know some basic information about Pluto. Pluto is one of the largest asteroids in the solar system, with a diameter of about 2,370 kilometers. It was found in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh and named Pluto in honor of Hades, the king of hell in ancient Greek mythology.
With the development of science and technology and the in-depth study of the solar system, scientists have begun to find some characteristics that do not match Pluto. First of all, Pluto is distinctly different from the other eight planets. Its orbit is highly inclined and elliptical in shape, making it more unusual than the orbits of other planets. Secondly, although Pluto is located in the solar system, it is relatively small compared to other planets, and the possibility that it may be an icy asteroid cannot be ruled out.
Based on these findings, the International Astronomical Union decided in 2006 to redefine the criteria for planets and remove Pluto from the list of planets as an "expelled planet." The new definition states that a planet must meet three conditions: first, it must orbit the sun; Secondly, it must have enough quality to keep the shape stable; Finally, there must be no other objects around it that share an orbit with it.
According to the new definition, Pluto cannot meet the third condition. There are many objects in Pluto's orbit that share orbit with Pluto, especially the icy asteroids in the Nebaiil belt, which is closest to Pluto. The presence of these celestial bodies makes Pluto stand out when compared to other planets.
Of course, the fact that Pluto is defined as an "expelled planet" does not mean that its importance and value are erased. Pluto remains an important object of study in the solar system, and the probe New Horizons successfully flew by Pluto in 2015, sending us a wealth of valuable data. This data has helped scientists better understand the nature and origin of Pluto, further advancing the study of the solar system.
Expelled planets: What else is so amazing about Pluto?
At the edge of the solar system, there is a planet that once caused controversy - Pluto. Since the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of planetary status in 2006, our knowledge of it has become even more limited. However, even after being expelled, Pluto still has many stunning features and charms that cannot be ignored.
Pluto is the largest extrasolar planet in the solar system. It has a diameter of about 2,370 kilometers, which is equivalent to one-fifth of the diameter of the Earth. Despite Pluto's small size, it has a strong magnetic field. Scientists believe this is due to molten magma activity inside Pluto.
Due to its small mass and frozen surface, Pluto's magnetic field is very fragile, only about 1% of the Earth's magnetic field. However, this shocking discovery reveals the activity of Pluto's interior, showing that it still has connections with other planets.
Pluto's surface is full of mysterious geological features. There are many huge plains and mountains on Pluto, and even vast glaciers and icebergs. The most striking is the Halley Basin in Pluto's southern hemisphere, a huge, steep annular basin surrounded by towering mountains. Scientists believe that the Halley Basin was formed by a massive celestial impact and may have contributed to the lava activity inside Pluto.
The surface of Pluto is called"Meat grinder", because it is covered with all kinds of cracks and cliffs. These geological features make Pluto's landforms diverse and full of suspense to explore.
Pluto's satellite system is also one of its amazing features. Pluto has five known moons, the largest of which is the Smollian moon, which is about 620 kilometers in diameter. Scientists have found a complex resonance between Pluto and its moons. This resonance relationship results in a relatively stable orbit of the satellites and allows them to form a stable motion around Pluto. This discovery provides us with important clues to unravel the history of the formation of Pluto and its satellite system.
Although Pluto has been stripped of its status as a planet, it is still one of the fascinating objects in the solar system. Scientists have been amazed by both its surface features and the complexity of the satellite system. With the advancement of technology and the development of detectors, we believe that more mysteries about Pluto will be revealed in the future. Regardless, Pluto will continue to capture our gaze and inspire our infinite imagination of the universe.
Pluto's peculiar orbit: an explanation for its expulsion
Let's take a look at Pluto's orbit. Pluto's orbit is an oval shape and its eccentricity is high. This means that Pluto's distance from the Sun is constantly changing, and its orbital inclination is relatively large. This is a clear difference from the orbits of the other eight planets. And this peculiar orbit shows the peculiarity of Pluto, which is also an important reason for its expulsion.
Pluto is located in a mixture of ice and rock called the Underworld. This area is far from the sun and has extremely low temperatures, which is suitable for the presence of frozen materials. Due to Pluto's greater orbital inclination, it also interacts less with other planets. So there are no other large objects around Pluto, which is considered an "outlier" in the solar system. Such a situation is contrary to the requirements of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on the definition of planets, and is one of the reasons why Pluto was downgraded.
Pluto has a comparatively smaller mass. Although Pluto is about 1 6 times the diameter of the Earth, its mass is only 0 of the Earth's massAbout 2%. In contrast, the other eight planets all have relatively large masses. This is due to the fact that Pluto is mostly made up of ice and rock, while the other planets are mostly made up of gas and rock. This has also led to controversy over Pluto's definition of a planet, as it does not meet the criteria for planets under the usual definition.
Another key reason is the discovery of other similar objects near Pluto. With the advancement of technology, people began to discover more Pluto-like objects, which are collectively known as "Kuiper Belt objects". These objects, all located near Pluto, share similar characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to redefine the standards of planets. The International Astronomical Union's decision to limit the definition of planets to those that can "clear their orbits" and "orbit directly around the Sun" excludes Pluto from qualification.
Mysterious characteristics of Pluto: Why is it different from other planets?
Pluto is a mysterious planet in the solar system. Its orbit has unique characteristics compared to other planets, which has attracted wide attention and research from the scientific community.
Pluto's orbit is peculiar. Located beyond Neptune, it has an elliptical-shaped orbit with an angled orbit. This particular orbit gives it a sense of being different and is one of the most significant differences it has from other planets. Scientists believe that this peculiar orbit may be due to Pluto's collision with other celestial bodies during its formation, causing the orbit to be broken and altered.
Pluto is comparatively smaller in size. Compared to large planets such as Venus and Mars, Pluto is only about 2,300 kilometers in diameter, and it is even smaller than some moons. This makes Pluto the smallest dwarf planet in the solar system. This fact is also one of the significant differences between Pluto and other planets.
Pluto's surface features are striking. Over the past few decades, images taken by space probes have revealed landscapes such as mountains, canyons, and glaciers on Pluto's surface. Compared to other planets, Pluto's surface is colder and covered with ice, especially the crust made of ice. This makes Pluto's surface look more unique and beautiful, contrasting with other planets.
Pluto's atmosphere is also one of its mysterious features. Although Pluto's atmosphere is extremely thin, scientists have discovered the presence of complex chemicals such as methane and nitrogen. These substances undergo a chemical reaction under the action of sunlight to produce a blue sky color. This is Pluto's only planet or dwarf planet with a blue sky, and this unique atmospheric phenomenon is one of the reasons why Pluto has attracted the attention of scientists.
The Eerie Mystery of Pluto: What Will Be the Next Step in Human Exploration?
The eerie mystery of Pluto comes from its surface. Pluto's surface is covered by a huge, shiny crust of ice, which makes it look like a giant mirror. However, beneath the ice shell, scientists have discovered unexpected circumstances. Underneath the ice crust is a crust made up of a mixture of rock and ice, which means that there may be tremendous geological activity inside Pluto. How this geological activity was formed, as well as its impact on Pluto's surface, is one of the key questions for human exploration.
The strange mystery of Pluto also comes from its atmosphere. Pluto's atmosphere is very thin and consists mostly of nitrogen and methane. However, scientists have discovered a phenomenon called "dark streaks" in their exploration of Pluto. These dark lines are caused by unknown chemicals, but scientists have yet to fully solve the mystery. Understanding the formation of these dark streaks and their impact on Pluto's atmosphere is also important for human exploration of the atmospheres of other planets in the solar system.
The strange mystery of Pluto also manifests itself on its moons. Pluto has five known moons, the largest of which is called Charon. Charon's surface is filled with steep mountains and craters, which contrasts sharply with Pluto's surface. Scientists believe that Charon's geological activity is related to some mechanism inside Pluto, but the exact reason is not clear. By delving deeper into Charon's geology and Pluto's inner structure, we may be able to unravel more clues to Pluto's eerie mystery.
So, what's next for human exploration? In the face of the strange mystery of Pluto, humanity should continue to explore deeply. Advances in technology will provide us with more possibilities. We need to send more space probes to Pluto, collect more data and samples, and bring them back to Earth for further analysis.
Humans could also consider sending manned missions to Pluto to send scientists directly to Pluto for on-the-ground observation and research. Only through continuous efforts and innovation can we gradually unravel the mystery of Pluto and lay a solid foundation for human exploration of other planets in the solar system.
But either way, Pluto is undoubtedly one of the most striking and mysterious planets in the universe, and we look forward to more scientific discoveries and explorations. Whether you are a scientist who loves to explore the universe or a general reader who is full of curiosity about the universe, you may wish to leave your thoughts on the mystery of Pluto below and share your insights with everyone!
Proofreading: Smooth.