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Dwarf planet
Which planet was termed as the dwarf planet in our solar system?
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Once upon a time, there was a small planet named Pluto. People used to consider it the ninth planet in our solar system, just like Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. But then something interesting happened that changed the way scientists thought about Pluto.
A group of scientists called the International Astronomical Union (IAU) came together and decided to redefine what it means to be a planet. They came up with three important criteria that a celestial body must meet to be called a planet.
First, a planet needs to orbit around the Sun. Well, Pluto certainly does that! It orbits the Sun just like all the other planets in our solar system.
Second, a planet should have a round shape, like a ball. Guess what? Pluto is round too! It has a spherical shape, just like the other planets.
But there’s one more important requirement. A planet should have a clear orbit, free from other objects that get in its way. This means a planet should have a clear path around the Sun without any other objects crossing its orbit.
Here’s where Pluto faced a challenge. It hangs out in an area called the Kuiper Belt, where many other objects like asteroids and icy bodies exist. Pluto’s orbit even crosses paths with another planet called Neptune, and it hasn’t completely cleared its path.
As a result, the scientists decided to reclassify Pluto as a “dwarf planet” instead of a regular planet. A dwarf planet is a special category for smaller celestial bodies that share their space with other objects.
But don’t let the term “dwarf planet” fool you. Pluto is still an incredibly fascinating world! It has a diverse and dynamic surface with mountains, valleys, and even a heart-shaped feature called Tombaugh Regio.
Pluto also has some companions in its cosmic journey. It has five known moons, with Charon being its largest moon. The Pluto-Charon system showcases a fascinating gravitational dance as they orbit around a common center.
Even though Pluto is no longer considered a full-fledged planet, it remains a captivating object for scientific study. Exploring Pluto and other dwarf planets helps scientists understand the vast array of objects in our solar system and the processes that shape them.
Remember, the world of science is always evolving, and our understanding of the universe continues to expand. So, keep looking up to the stars, and who knows what other cosmic wonders we’ll uncover in the future!
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