13 facts about Pluto

What do you remember about Pluto from the school course of astronomy? That this tiny distant planet from the Sun? This guy, though small, but very remarkable and deserves to let you know about it a little more.

1. Pluto is named after the eleven-year girl

When, in 1930, scientists discovered Pluto, they staged a contest for the best name for the new planet. Proposals received from around the world. Eleven-year-Venetia Burney of Oxford decided that the dark distant planet suitable name of the god of the underworld in Greek mythology - Pluto.

The Lowell Observatory held a vote for one of three names:

• Pluto;
• Minerva;
• Chronos (the name was suggested by one of the astronomers).

Venetia Burney received £ 5 for his victory that the current money is approximately £ 300.

2. Monogram Pluto - the first letters of the names of the astronomer

The astronomical symbol of Pluto - PL - first letters of the names of the planets and the initials of the astronomer Percival Lowell, who He predicted the existence of the dwarf in the outer reaches of the solar system due to the gravitational influence of Neptune and Uranus. Lowell Observatory is also named in honor of the scientist.

3. In 2006, Pluto was demoted to the status and officially became a dwarf planet №134340

4. Pluto became a dwarf because of Eris

Pluto had the status of a planet 76 years. But in 2005, scientists discovered Eris, which is 27% heavier than Pluto, despite the fact that he is more in terms of volume. The discovery of Eris forced astronomers to reconsider the conditions under which the celestial body is given the status of the planet, and in 2006, Pluto became a dwarf.

5. Pluto five satellites

The diameter of Charon, the largest of them - about half Pluto's diameter, so they are often treated as a binary system, since the orbit interact. Other satellites are smaller, their names: Styx, Nix, Hydra and Cerberus.

6. Pluto - the only known planet with an atmosphere of nitrogen, methane and carbon monoxide

It is toxic to humans and varies depending on how close to the Sun, Pluto. When it is closest to the Sun (stored in perihelia), the atmosphere becomes a gas, and at the maximum distance (in aphelia) - is transformed into the snow and settles on the surface.

7. Pluto's orbit is highly eccentric, so sometimes it is closer to the Sun than Neptune

The last time Pluto was "inside" the orbit of Neptune in 1999.

8. Pluto has an underground ocean with frozen water

Its depth - from 100 to 180 kilometers. This means that water dwarf three times more than on Earth. The remaining 2/3 of planets composed of hard rock and frozen nitrogen.

9. Pluto opposite direction of rotation as that of Venus and Uranus

This means that it rotates in the opposite side of the Earth: The sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Pluto makes a full rotation in about a week.

10. The sun's rays reach the surface of Pluto in 5.5 hours

For comparison, they drifted for 8 minutes before the Earth.

11. And there is so because Pluto is located at a distance of 5.9 billion km from the Sun and the Earth - at a distance of 149.6 million km

Can you see Pluto from Earth? And you can see the nut, which is 50 km away from you?

12. When in 2006, Pluto became a dwarf American Society named dialects the verb "oplutonit" new word of the year

"Oplutonit" - to reduce someone or something in rank or value.

13. Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, was the first person who has committed an interstellar journey after death

Tombo ashes was placed in the automatic interplanetary station NASA's "New Horizons", which went to Pluto in 2006. A couple of months ago, the station flew past Pluto and incredible photos sent to Earth. Further, through the Kuiper Belt it will go into intergalactic space in the hope of finding life outside our solar system.

On the capsule containing the ashes of Tombaugh bears the inscription: "Here is buried Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, and the third zone of the solar system. Son of Adel and Meron, Patricia's husband, the father of Annette and Alden. Astronomer, teacher, wit, and a friend. 1906–1997».