New planet in our solar system

Exciting news! In 2005, a new planet was officially recognized in our solar system, and it's called Eris!

Eris is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune. It was discovered in 2005 by a team of astronomers using the Palomar Observatory in California.

Here are some fascinating facts about Eris:

  1. Size: Eris is slightly larger than Pluto, with a diameter of approximately 2,326 kilometers (1,446 miles). It's about 23% larger than Pluto.
  2. Orbit: Eris takes about 557 Earth years to complete one orbit around the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical, which means its distance from the sun varies greatly throughout the year.
  3. Composition: Eris is thought to be composed primarily of rock and ice, similar to Pluto. It's believed to have a surface covered in frozen methane and nitrogen.
  4. Surface features: Eris has a highly reflective surface, which suggests it may have a layer of frozen methane or other volatile compounds. Astronomers have also detected a possible atmosphere around Eris.
  5. Name: Eris was named after the Greek goddess of discord and strife, as it was discovered during a period of controversy over the definition of a planet.

Eris is not the only new planet in our solar system. In 2008, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the term "planet" and reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet. This decision led to the recognition of several other dwarf planets in our solar system, including:

These dwarf planets are fascinating objects that offer insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. Who knows what other secrets they might hold?