Pluto: Beyond Neptune Or Not?
by Gene Mascoli and ScienceIQ.com
|
Artist Rendition of Pluto, its moon Charon and spacecraft.
Image Courtesy NSSDC
|
Did I catch you? Pluto (newly classified as a dwarf-planet) comes after planet Neptune. Right? Depends. Pluto takes 248 years to orbit the Sun. Most of that time Pluto's orbit puts it outside the orbit of Neptune. But, for 20 years out of each orbit cycle, Pluto's orbit brings it closer to the Sun than Neptune. Most recently, Pluto was in 8th place from February, 1979 until February, 1999. Now, it's back beyond Neptune, and will stay there for the next 200 years.Pluto is the only ex-planet (now a dwarf-planet) in our solar system to have this orbital characteristic. This is caused by its very elongated orbital path. Most planets travel around the Sun in an elliptical orbit that is closer in shape to a circle. They pretty much remain the same distance from the Sun during their annual trip. This is true of Neptune. But Pluto's orbital distance from the Sun varies by over 1.86 billion miles (about 3 billion km), enough to cause its orbital anomaly. Don't worry about Pluto colliding with Neptune though. Pluto's different in that respect as well. Rather than orbiting on a relatively flat plane as the other planets do, Pluto's orbit brings it above and over the orbit of Neptune. Their paths don't cross.
For more science facts like this one go to: ScienceIQ.com
|
Quick Poll
 |
|
|
|
 'There must be no barriers for freedom of inquiry. There is no place for dogma in science. The scientist is free, and must be free to ask any question, to doubt any assertion, to seek for any evidence, to correct any errors.'
J. Robert Oppenheimer
(1904-1966)
|
|
| Xump.com Science Store |
Buckyballs - Magnetic Construction Spheres
 Create any shape you can imagine with these incredible magnetic spheres!
$29.99 $24.95 /each
View details
Lenox Antique Replogle Globe
 You spin me right ‘round! Is the way this masterfully crafted 12 inch Lenox Antique Globe will make you feel on any occasion.
$89.99 $74.95 /each
View details
Ball of Whacks
 The Ball of Whacks is the perfect creativity tool for innovators, artists, engineers, writers, students, and you!
$34.99 $25.95 /each
View details
Konus Space-6 Telescope
 See the surface of the moon with this high-quality beginners telescope.
$149.95 $129.95 /each
View details
130 Electronics Projects Kit
 Start a great hobby in electronics with this state of the art electronics project lab.
$99.99 $59.95 /each
View details
My First Lab Cordless ULTIMATE Microscope
 This microscope is so versatile you can even take it with you on a job site!
$149.99 $129.95 /each
View details
Click here to view other physics & astronomy related products from our online store.
|
|
|
