Published , Modified Abstract on Hubble Discovers a Fifth Moon Orbiting Pluto Original source
Hubble Discovers a Fifth Moon Orbiting Pluto
Pluto, the former ninth planet of our solar system, has always been a fascinating object of study for astronomers. It was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh and was considered a planet until 2006 when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Since then, scientists have been studying Pluto and its moons to learn more about this distant world. Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope made an exciting discovery - a fifth moon orbiting Pluto.
Introduction
The discovery of a new moon orbiting Pluto is significant because it provides insight into the formation and evolution of the dwarf planet's system. The Hubble Space Telescope has been instrumental in studying Pluto and its moons since its launch in 1990. In this article, we will explore the discovery of the fifth moon and what it means for our understanding of Pluto.
The Discovery
On July 7, 2012, the Hubble Space Telescope discovered a new moon orbiting Pluto. The moon, named P5, is estimated to be between 10 and 25 kilometers in diameter and orbits Pluto at a distance of about 95,000 kilometers. P5 is the smallest of Pluto's five moons and has an irregular shape.
What We Know About Pluto's Moons
Pluto has five known moons - Charon, Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and P5. Charon is the largest moon and is so massive that it is often considered a binary system with Pluto. Nix and Hydra were discovered by Hubble in 2005, Kerberos was discovered in 2011, and P5 was discovered in 2012.
Charon is about half the size of Pluto and orbits at a distance of about 19,500 kilometers. Nix and Hydra are much smaller than Charon and orbit at distances of about 48,700 kilometers and 64,800 kilometers, respectively. Kerberos is even smaller than Nix and Hydra and orbits at a distance of about 59,000 kilometers.
The Formation of Pluto's Moons
The discovery of P5 has raised questions about the formation of Pluto's moons. One theory is that the moons were formed from debris left over after a collision between Pluto and another object in the Kuiper Belt. Another theory is that the moons were captured by Pluto's gravity as they passed by.
The discovery of P5 supports the collision theory because it is much smaller than the other moons and has an irregular shape. This suggests that it may have been formed from debris left over after a collision.
The Importance of Studying Pluto's Moons
Studying Pluto's moons is important because it provides insight into the formation and evolution of the dwarf planet's system. By studying the orbits and compositions of the moons, scientists can learn more about the history of Pluto and its surroundings.
The discovery of P5 also highlights the importance of continued exploration and study of our solar system. There is still much to learn about Pluto and its moons, and new discoveries like this one help us to better understand our place in the universe.
Conclusion
The discovery of a fifth moon orbiting Pluto is an exciting development in our understanding of this distant world. The Hubble Space Telescope has been instrumental in studying Pluto and its moons, and this discovery highlights the importance of continued exploration and study of our solar system.
FAQs
Q: How was P5 discovered?
A: P5 was discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 7, 2012.
Q: What is the significance of P5?
A: P5 provides insight into the formation and evolution of Pluto's system.
Q: How many moons does Pluto have?
A: Pluto has five known moons - Charon, Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and P5.
Q: What is the largest moon orbiting Pluto?
A: Charon is the largest moon orbiting Pluto.
Q: Why was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet?
A: Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 because it did not meet the criteria for a full-fledged planet.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.