The solar system: the planets: planet Pluto

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< back to Planets planet Pluto

The Planets: Planet Pluto

Pluto is the last of nine planets in our solar system and is the furthest planet from the sun. Pluto is one of the outer planets; however, it's designation as a planet is in dispute.

The solar system's smallest and most distant planet is not visible without the aid of a good-sized telescope and some patience to locate it over several nights.

Pluto Facts
Mass (kg) 1.27e+22
Radius (km) 1,137
Density (gm/cm3) 2.05
Distance from Sun (km) 5,913,520,000
Period of rotation (days) -6.3872
Period of orbit (yrs) 248.54
Orbital velocity (km/sec) 4.74
Eccentricity of orbit 0.2482
Tilt of axis (°) 122.52
Inclination of orbit (°) 17.148
surface gravity (m/sec2) 0.4
escape velocity (km/sec) 1.22
Visual albedo 0.3
Visual magnitude 15.12
Atmosphere Methane=%
Moons 1



Pluto can only be viewed in larger amateur telescopes.

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