Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1779129066
Summary: The Kuiper Belt Object (KBO), also known as Eris, is a dwarf planet located in the outer reaches of the Solar System, discovered in 2005, which has sparked debate about the definition of a planet.
Overview
The Kuiper Belt is a region of the Solar System containing a vast array of small, icy bodies, including dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. Located beyond the orbit of Neptune, the Kuiper Belt is thought to be a reservoir of small celestial objects that have not been perturbed into more stable orbits. In 2005, a team of astronomers led by Michael Brown discovered a KBO, which was initially named Eris. This discovery sparked a heated debate about the definition of a planet, as Eris was found to be slightly larger than Pluto, which had long been considered the ninth planet in our Solar System.
Eris is a fascinating object that has provided scientists with valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Solar System. Its highly eccentric orbit takes it as close as 37.8 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun and as far as 95.6 AU from the Sun. One astronomical unit is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. Eris is also known for its highly inclined orbit, which takes it above and below the plane of the Solar System.
History/Background
The discovery of Eris was announced on July 29, 2005, by a team of astronomers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The team, led by Michael Brown, used the Palomar Observatory in California to observe Eris, which was initially thought to be a large asteroid. However, further observations revealed that Eris was a dwarf planet, with a diameter of approximately 2,326 kilometers (1,445 miles). This discovery sparked a debate about the definition of a planet, with some arguing that Eris should be considered the tenth planet in our Solar System.
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) defined a planet as a celestial body that:
1. Is in orbit around the Sun.
2. Has sufficient mass to assume a hydrostatic equilibrium shape (i.e., it is nearly round in shape).
3. Has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.
According to this definition, Eris does not meet the third criterion, as its orbit overlaps with other objects in the Kuiper Belt. Therefore, Eris was reclassified as a dwarf planet, a new category of objects created by the IAU.
Key Information
* Name: Eris
* Type: Dwarf planet
* Date: Discovered on January 5, 2005
* Location: Kuiper Belt, outer reaches of the Solar System
* Diameter: Approximately 2,326 kilometers (1,445 miles)
* Orbital Period: 557 Earth years
* Surface Temperature: Estimated to be around -233°C (-391°F)
Eris is a fascinating object that has provided scientists with valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Solar System. Its highly eccentric orbit and highly inclined orbit make it an interesting subject for study. Eris is also thought to have a highly reflective surface, which suggests that it may have a surface composed of methane and nitrogen ices.
Significance
The discovery of Eris has sparked a new era of research into the Kuiper Belt and the formation of the Solar System. Eris has provided scientists with valuable insights into the evolution of the Solar System, including the formation of the planets and the role of the Kuiper Belt in shaping the Solar System. The discovery of Eris has also raised questions about the definition of a planet and has sparked a debate about the classification of celestial objects.
INFOBOX:
- Name: Eris
- Type: Dwarf planet
- Date: Discovered on January 5, 2005
- Location: Kuiper Belt, outer reaches of the Solar System
- Known For: Being the largest known KBO and sparking a debate about the definition of a planet
TAGS: Kuiper Belt, Dwarf Planet, Eris, Solar System, Planetary Science, Astronomy, Space Exploration, Celestial Objects, Planetary Definition.
