Pad 7:42 PM * 100% m e instructure-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com C + D Part 1: Compar
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Pad 7:42 PM * 100% m e instructure-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com C + D Part 1: Comparison to Terrestrial and Jovian Planets You are on a committee to determine whether or not to classify Pluto as a planet. Some facts about Pluto: diameter is 2,320 km (large enough to be round) orbit averages 40 AU ( which is in the Kuiper Belt) composed of rock and ice 1) Circle the characteristics the Terrestrial planets have in common high density main composition is rock small in diameter small orbit size has rings low density main composition is gas large in diameter large orbit size no rings 2) Circle the characteristics the Jovian planets have in common. high density main composition is rock small in diameter small orbit size has rings low density main composition is gas large in diameter large orbit size no rings 3) Which of the characteristics does Pluto share with each of these groups? similar to Terrestrial planets similar to Jovian planets not similar to either Terrestrial or Jovian planets In 2006 a panel of Astronomers met to determine the criteria used to define a planet. The three main parameters they came up with are that the object must -orbit the Sun - be large enough to be round (small objects are lumpy/potato shaped) clear its orbit free of debris (not in the asteroid belt, not in the Kuiper Belt, etc) 4) Given this information, is Pluto a planet? Yes No If yes, explain if it is terrestrial or jovian. If no, explain why not SMAY AND KORTZ FIRST EDITION, 2010 LECTURE-TUTORIALS FOR INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY SOLAR SYSTEMExplanation / Answer
1) Characteristics of terrestial planets are that they have high density and hence their main composition is rock, they are comparatively small in diameter as compared to jovian planets, have comparatively small orbit size and don't have rings.
2) Characteristics of jovian planets: They have low density and hence their main composition are gases, they are large in diameter and have comparatively large orbit size than terrestial planets and they also have rings.
3) Characteristics of Pluto:
Similar to terrestial planets: Small, Solid surface.
Similar to jovian planets: Highest orbit size.
Not similar to either terrestial or jovian planets: The plane of Pluto's orbit is also tilted the most compared to the rest, taking it further north and south of the Earth's orbital plane than the other planets.
Density of Pluto is about 2 grams per cubic centimeter. Based on this, Pluto is probably a mixture of 70% rock and 30% water ice.
The plane of Pluto's orbit is also tilted the most compared to the rest, taking it further north and south of the Earth's orbital plane than the other planets.
There is also some speculationabout pluto having ring but it has not been confirmed yet.
4) The criteria led by various scientists in 2006 to classify a planet is not met by pluto as it comes in kuiper belt therefore we can't call it as a planet.
Because of its peculiarities, many have suggested that Pluto should not really be considered a planet--that it had a different origin and is more closely related to a comet or asteroid.
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