Dwarf Planets

Front

What is a dwarf planet?

Back

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun, is spherical in shape, but has not cleared its orbit of other debris.

Front

Name one example of a dwarf planet.

Back

Pluto is an example of a dwarf planet.

Front

What is the difference between a planet and a dwarf planet?

Back

A planet has cleared its orbit of other debris, while a dwarf planet has not.

Front

How many known dwarf planets are there in our solar system?

Back

As of now, there are five officially recognized dwarf planets: Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres.

Front

What is Pluto named after?

Back

Pluto is named after the Roman god of the underworld.

Front

Can Pluto get closer to the Sun than Neptune?

Back

Yes, Pluto's orbit is elliptical, allowing it to come closer to the Sun than Neptune at certain times.

Front

What is the largest dwarf planet?

Back

Eris is the largest known dwarf planet.

Front

What is the main characteristic of a dwarf planet?

Back

A dwarf planet must be in orbit around the Sun and must be large enough for its gravity to make it round.

Front

Which dwarf planet is located in the asteroid belt?

Back

Ceres is the only dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is the significance of the name 'Pluto'?

Back

The name 'Pluto' was chosen because it represents the god of the underworld, symbolizing the cold and distant nature of the planet.