8 Interesting Facts About Pluto 

Dec 18, 2023, 11:16 IST

Vikrant Singh

1. Dwarf Planet Status

Despite once being considered the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). 

2. Frozen World 

Pluto is incredibly cold, with surface temperatures dropping to about -240 degrees Celsius.   

3. Heart-Shaped Feature

A distinctive heart-shaped region on Pluto’s surface was captured by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft during its historic flyby in 2015. 

4. Complex Atmosphere 

Pluto has a thin and tenuous atmosphere primarily composed of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide. 

5. Moons Galore

Pluto has five known moons. Charon, the largest moon, is so large in comparison to Pluto that the two bodies are often considered a binary system. 

6. Unusual Tilt

Pluto has a unique orbit that is more tilted and elliptical compared to other planets in our solar system.   

7. Frozen Methane Lakes 

Some regions on Pluto’s surface appear to contain vast plains of frozen methane. 

8. Far from Earth 

Pluto is situated in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune. Its distance from Earth varies from about 4.67 to 7.4 billion miles.

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