Take a look at these incredible fun facts about Pluto for kids!
Did you know that Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system?
What other fun facts can we learn about this “dwarf planet”?
Well, it’s a fascinating celestial object with a whole lot of surprises!
Its unique features and characteristics make it very, very special.
Let’s blast off into space and discover a little bit more about the amazing Pluto.
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Pluto Fun Facts
It’s an Icy Wonder
Pluto is in a far away area of the solar system that we call the Kuiper Belt.
This icy wonderland is home to countless frozen objects, and this dwarf planet is one of them.
In fact, a layer of frozen nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide covers its surface!
There is a Heart on Pluto
One of the most famous features on Pluto is a large, heart-shaped region.
Scientists call this area the “Tombaugh Regio.”
It was named after Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930.
The “Tombach Regio” has two parts.
One part is a large, light-colored area called the “Sputnik Planitia”.
And the second part is a darker spot that surrounds the lighter area.
This Dwarf Planet Dances with the Moon
Pluto has five known moons: Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra.
The largest moon, Charon, is really big.
Some scientists even consider Pluto and Charon to be a “double-dwarf planet” system.
Charon’s gravity causes Pluto to wobble slightly.
This creates a unique dance in space as both bodies face each other with the same sides.
That’s amazing!
It’s Full of Icy Volcanoes
Pluto might not have traditional volcanoes like Earth, but it does have something similar.
Its volcanoes are called “cryovolcanoes.”
These icy volcanoes spew out a mix of frozen gases, water, and other materials.
The substances ejected from these cryovolcanoes freeze instantly because it’s so cold there.
This creates unique formations on Pluto’s surface.
A Year is Long
A year on Pluto is incredibly long compared to Earth.
It takes about 248 Earth years for Pluto to complete one orbit around the Sun.
Now that is a long time!
There are Seasons
Despite being so far from the Sun, Pluto experiences seasons just like Earth does.
But due to its elongated orbit, the seasons last for many years.
During its “summer,” the Sun’s rays are weak but still provide a little bit of heat.
In contrast, “winter” is extremely cold.
The lowest temperature on Pluto is around -375 degrees Fahrenheit!
Brrr!
It’s a Small World with Big Mountains
Pluto might be small, but it has some really big mountains.
The tallest peak, named “Wright Mons,” reaches up to about 13,000 feet.
These mountains are thought to be composed of water, ice and frozen gases.
This Dwarf Planet Has An Unusual Orbit
Pluto’s orbit is quite unusual.
It’s tilted and more elongated compared to the orbits of the eight major planets.
This means that sometimes, Pluto is actually closer to the Sun than Neptune, the eighth planet.
Its unique orbit adds to the mystery and intrigue of this distant dwarf planet.
How interesting!
Fun Facts About Pluto
Pluto is full of weird and wacky surprises.
This makes it a truly intriguing dwarf planet.
Aren’t all of these facts really interesting?
Let’s blast out into space and discover more about Pluto’s unique characteristics!