134340 Pluto Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eris

In 2006, astronomers discovered Eris, which they said was 25% more massive than Pluto, thus bringing in to question what makes a planet a planet. They then found several objects like these in the Kuiper Belt. After 2006, Pluto was reclassified into something called a dwarf planet, leading to the upset of many.

Answer: 39 AU

An AU is 93,000,000 miles, or approximately the distance between the Sun and Earth. At 39 AU, the Sun would appear to be quite small, only slightly larger than other stars in the sky.

Answer: True

For 28 years, images of Pluto's general location were taken without Pluto itself being noticed. As far away as it is, it would appear to look just like a star, so it would be hard to tell unless viewed over a long period of time. After its discovery, astronomers reviewed older images taken of Pluto's location and confirmed its existence, which helped identify its orbital path.

Answer: James Christy

Christy then went on to name the moon after his girlfriend, Charlene. Charon is also the Greek ferryman of the underworld. Tombaugh is the discoverer of Pluto, Adams is the discoverer of Neptune, and Lowell is the man whose work led to Pluto's discovery.

Answer: Greek goddess of night/darkness

In Greek Mythology, Nix was the mother of Charon, Hypnos, and Thanatos, to name a few. Nix can also be spelled as "Nyx".

Answer: Hydra

In Greek mythology, the Hydra was a nine headed serpent that guarded the Lethe River of the underworld. Cerberus was a dog with three heads and Orthros was its two-headed brother. Hades is the Greek version of Pluto.

Answer: 2011 and 2012

As of 2012, two new moons have been discovered orbiting Pluto, bringing its total up to five for now. They were discovered on June 28, 2011 and July 11, 2012. They were later named Kerberos and Styx, respectively.

Answer: It is changing color

Newer images from the Hubble space telescope have shown that as time passes, Pluto is increasing in red pigmentation. From 2002 to 2003 alone, it increased its red coloration by 20%. This may be caused by its approach to Perihelion, (getting closer to the Sun) causing solar wind to blow away methane particles and leaving the carbon particles.

Answer: Nitrogen

Pluto's oribit is highly eccentric, meaning it is not in the shape of a circle, but an ellipse, or oval. This means that at certain points, it will be much closer to the Sun than at other parts of its revolution. When closest to the Sun, astronomers have found that it gains a temporary atmosphere consisting mainly of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane.

As its distance increases, the atmosphere gradually thins and these gases either escape or fall back to the surface.

Answer: 1164

All minor planets are given numbers that distinguish the order in which they were discovered. Minor planets are bodies such as dwarf planets, asteroids, SSSBs (Small Solar System Bodies), and several other types of celestial bodies. As Pluto was called a major planet for almost 80 years before being reclassified, it was given a much higher number.