Plutolong considered the ninth planet in our solar system, is now placed in a completely different category, surprising both astronomers and the public.
This change was not capricious, but responds to a key scientific factor: in the immensity of the universe, A small detail can make a big difference. In this article, we explore what science has to say about Pluto and why its planetary status has changed forever.
Why did Pluto cease to be a planet?
In the world of astronomy, it is not enough to orbit the Sun and have a rounded shape. In 2006, the IAU has established a third key criterion for defining a planet: This it must have “cleaned” its orbit of other objects.
Pluto meets the first two requirements: orbit around the Sun and has enough mass to maintain a spherical shape thanks to its gravity. However, fails to completely clear its orbitsince it shares its region with other bodies in the Kuiper belt. This belt is an area of the solar system full of fragments and icy objects similar to Pluto.
The non-compliance with this last criterion was decisive for astronomers to assign it a new classification: that of dwarf planet. This category includes other celestial bodies such as Ceres, Eris, Haumea and Makemake, which also have interesting characteristics for the study of the solar system.
What is a dwarf planet according to science?
The term “dwarf planet” It was not created to downplay the importance of these celestial bodies, but to group together those that do not meet the requirements of traditional planets.
The IAU has established that a dwarf planet is a body that:
- Orbit it Sun.
- It did not clear its orbit, sharing its space with objects of similar size.
- It has enough mass to have a spherical shape dominated by its own gravity.
- It’s not a satellite of another planet.
This definition, created in 2006, sought to correctly categorize bodies such as Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea and Makemake, all important in the study of the Universe. solar system.
Although they are smaller than traditional planets, their exploration has revealed fascinating information about their composition, atmosphere and geological activity.
Pluto, for example, is much more than just an icy object. The mission New horizons of the JAR has shown that it is home to ice mountains, possible underground oceans and surprising geological activity, making it one of the most interesting bodies for modern astronomy.
Although Pluto No longer classified among the traditional planets, it remains fundamental in the study of the cosmos. Its enigma continues to captivate astronomers and reminds us that the universe has much more to reveal.
