Results for "**Celestial Body**"
Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1778484184
** The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, also known as **Eris**, is a dwarf planet located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**. It was discovered in 2005 and is one of the most significant objects in the **Kuiper Belt**, a region of icy bodies and small celestial objects beyond **Neptune**. ## Overview The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, specifically **Eris**, is a fascinating celestial body that has garnered significant attention in the scientific community. Located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**, **Eris** is a dwarf planet that is part of the **Kuiper Belt**, a region of icy bodies and small celestial objects beyond **Neptune**. The discovery of **Eris** in 2005 sparked a debate about the definition of a planet, leading to the reclassification of **Eris** and other similar objects as dwarf planets. **Eris** is a relatively small object, with a diameter of approximately 2,326 kilometers (1,445 miles). It is composed primarily of rock and ice, with a surface that is thought to be composed of methane and nitrogen ices. **Eris** has a highly eccentric orbit, which 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**, which is approximately 149.6 million kilometers (92.96 million miles). ## History/Background The discovery of **Eris** was announced on July 29, 2005, by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown of the **California Institute of Technology**. The discovery was made using the **Palomar Observatory** in California, and the object was initially thought to be the tenth planet in our **Solar System**. However, further observations revealed that **Eris** was actually a dwarf planet, and its size and mass were not sufficient to be considered a full-fledged planet. The discovery of **Eris** sparked a debate about the definition of a planet, which had been a topic of discussion among astronomers for some time. The debate ultimately led to the reclassification of **Eris** and other similar objects as dwarf planets, which are defined as celestial bodies that are in orbit around the **Sun**, have sufficient mass to assume a hydrostatic equilibrium shape, and have not cleared the neighborhood around their orbits. ## Key Information **Eris** is a fascinating object that has been the subject of extensive study by astronomers. Some of the key facts about **Eris** include: * **Orbital Period**: **Eris** has an orbital period of approximately 557 Earth years. * **Surface Temperature**: The surface temperature of **Eris** is estimated to be around -233°C (-391°F). * **Atmosphere**: **Eris** has a thin atmosphere that is thought to be composed of methane and nitrogen ices. * **Moons**: **Eris** has one known moon, called **Dysnomia**. ## Significance The discovery of **Eris** has significant implications for our understanding of the **Solar System**. The existence of dwarf planets like **Eris** suggests that the **Solar System** is a complex and dynamic system, with many objects that are still waiting to be discovered. The study of **Eris** and other dwarf planets can provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Solar System**, and can help us better understand the conditions that led to the formation of our own planet. INFOBOX: - **Name**: Eris - **Type**: Dwarf Planet - **Date**: July 29, 2005 - **Location**: Kuiper Belt - **Known For**: Discovery of a dwarf planet and reclassification of the definition of a planet TAGS: **Kuiper Belt**, **Dwarf Planet**, **Solar System**, **Eris**, **Kuiper Belt Object**, **Astronomy**, **Space Exploration**, **Celestial Body**, **Orbital Period**, **Surface Temperature**, **Atmosphere**, **Moons**.
Space & AstronomyObjects Encyclopedia Entry 1782967385
**Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) 2007 OR10**, a small, icy celestial body located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**.