What does NASA say about Pluto?

NASA identifies Pluto as a dwarf planet, providing specific details about its size, distance from the Sun, and overall characteristics, distinguishing it from the eight major planets in our solar system.

Pluto's Classification by NASA

According to NASA, Pluto is categorized as a dwarf planet. This classification reflects its unique properties, such as its size and the presence of other objects within its orbital path, which differentiate it from a full-fledged planet. Despite its reclassification, NASA continues to study Pluto extensively, viewing it as a critical object for understanding the outer reaches of our solar system and the formation of celestial bodies beyond the gas giants.

Key Characteristics of Pluto (According to NASA)

NASA provides precise measurements and relative comparisons to help us grasp the true scale of this distant world.

Size and Scale

Pluto is considerably smaller than Earth, presenting a stark contrast in size:

• Equatorial Diameter: Pluto measures about 1,477 miles (2,377 kilometers) across its equator.
• Relative to Earth: To put this into perspective, Pluto is approximately 1/5th the width of Earth. This makes it smaller than Earth's Moon.

Extreme Distance from the Sun

Pluto resides in the frigid, distant reaches of our solar system, making its environment extremely cold and dark:

• Average Distance: On average, Pluto orbits the Sun at a staggering distance of about 3.7 billion miles (5.9 billion kilometers).
• Relative to Earth's Orbit: This places Pluto about 39 times farther away from the Sun than Earth is. Its immense distance contributes to its incredibly long orbital period and its extremely low surface temperatures.

Summary of Pluto's Facts from NASA

Here's a concise overview of key facts about Pluto as stated by NASA:

For more detailed information on Pluto and other dwarf planets, you can explore NASA's official science pages, such as the NASA Science Pluto facts page.