The earth is a planet in the solar system, and it is also the only planet we have known so far that has life. However, with the development of science and technology, through continuous exploration of the universe and space, people have discovered that there are 7 planets in the solar system besides the earth, and the 8 planets in the solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. , Saturn, Neptune and Uranus. However, in many people’s impressions, they may think that there are 9 planets in the solar system in their previous perceptions. In fact, this is because of the wrong estimation at that time. After Pluto was included in it, it was eliminated. . So what kind of planet is Pluto?
Scientists have discovered the cold and dark “underworld”, staying in it for one year is equal to 248 years on Earth
Through continuous research by scientists, it has been discovered that Pluto is actually a dwarf planet, which means it is the first Kuiper belt object to be discovered. King Star was discovered in 1930. At that time, Clyde Tombaugh regarded it as the ninth planet in the solar system without thorough research. However, after constant research, Pluto was excluded from the nine planets. So why is this happening? In fact, here we should understand the criteria for dividing planets by modern scientists. We must know that there are a large number of celestial bodies in the universe. The most common ones are stars and planets. There are also many asteroids. But nowadays, the types of celestial bodies are clearly divided and regulated, not only by their mass, but also by other factors. All have a great relationship.
According to a resolution adopted by the International Astronomical Union on August 24, 2006, a celestial body called a planet is mainly responsible for meeting three conditions: one is to be located in an orbit around the sun, and the other is that the celestial body must have enough The large mass overcomes the solid stress to achieve a hydrostatically balanced shape. The third is that the celestial body must have cleared the area near its orbit. It turns out that Pluto cannot fully meet these conditions, so it is classified as a dwarf planet. It is also the largest known dwarf planet in the solar system and the second most massive. Despite this, the scientific community still expends a lot of energy to explore Pluto, and even believes that it may have some connection with the legendary “underworld”.
So far, scientists still have no way to completely determine the structure of Pluto, but based on its average density, it is found that 30% of it is ice water and 70% is rock. On the whole it is very cold and dark, which makes people sound shuddering. And the surface of Pluto may be covered by some solid nitrogen, carbon monoxide and a small amount of solid formaldehyde, but why it causes a large amount of dark parts on its surface is still not completely certain. Scientists speculate that it may be due to photochemical reactions caused by cosmic radiation or organic matter. And the temperature of Pluto is extremely low, which can reach minus 20 degrees, so it can be called an extremely cold place.
In addition, scientists have also discovered that the period of Pluto orbiting the sun is very long. It has been more than 80 years since its discovery, but it still has not made a complete revolution around the sun, and it is reversed. turn! Moreover, it takes about 248 years for a circle of movement. This is calculated according to the time on the earth, which means that a year on Pluto means 248 years on the earth! All signs indicate that Pluto is indeed very terrifying, which can not help but associate it with the underworld! Some scientists believe that there may be a mysterious passage on Pluto that allows humans to reach the underworld. But now this is just conjecture, and there is no definite actual evidence.
Although the environment of Pluto is so harsh and looks terrifying, human exploration of it has never stopped. Some scientists even imagine that Pluto may be suitable for human habitation in the future. And now the New Horizons probe has sailed for 9 years, just to see Pluto. I believe that with the development of science and technology, we may have a deeper understanding of it.