By Ashritha Raghavendra
May 1 , 2022
On this day, 92 years ago, Pluto was named by the 11-year-old Venetia Burney. The first two letters are the initials of astronomer Percival Lowell — the first to predict its existence.
Image source: Wikipedia
Pluto has 3 times more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. Its surface is covered with ice, craters and several mountain ranges.
Image source: NASA
In 2015, a dominant feature on Pluto, called the ‘heart’ was discovered. This discovery indicates the planet’s long and complex geological history.
Image source: NASA
While Pluto is smaller than the Earth’s moon, it is the largest dwarf planet. Pluto is said to be 18.5% the size of the Earth.
Image source: NASA
Disney’s Pluto the dog was named after the former planet since the cartoon debuted the same year (1930) that Pluto was discovered.
Image source: Wikipedia
New Horizons was the first space vessel designed to probe Pluto. It completed a 9-year, 3-billion mile journey and cost $700 million.
Image source: NASA
Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the size of the planet but the lack of unique characteristics of a planet that led to Pluto being categorised as a dwarf planet.
Image source: Unsplash
Pluto could have an ocean underneath its 10-km thick ice surface. Scientists think it could harbour life if it indeed has liquid oceans and enough energy.
Image source: NASA