Eris
Eris is a dwarf planet located in the outer regions of our solar system, specifically in the Scattered Disk. Here are some detailed points about Eris:
- Discovery: Eris was discovered on January 5, 2005, by a team of astronomers led by Michael E. Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California. Its discovery was announced in July 2005.
- Naming: Initially known by the provisional designation 2003 UB313, it was later named Eris after the Greek goddess of strife and discord. This name was chosen because its discovery led to significant discord in the astronomical community over the definition of what constitutes a planet.
- Classification: The discovery of Eris prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to redefine what a planet is, leading to the creation of the "dwarf planet" category. Eris was thus classified as a dwarf planet, along with Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, and Makemake.
- Physical Characteristics:
- Eris has a highly elliptical orbit with an average distance from the Sun of about 68 AU (astronomical units, where 1 AU is the distance from Earth to the Sun).
- It is one of the most massive known dwarf planets, with a mass about 27% greater than that of Pluto.
- The diameter of Eris is approximately 2,326 km, making it slightly smaller than Pluto.
- Its surface appears to be covered with methane frost and possibly nitrogen ice, similar to Pluto.
- Eris has one known moon, Dysnomia, named after the daughter of the Greek goddess Eris, which represents lawlessness.
- Orbital Characteristics:
- Eris has an orbital period of about 557 years, which is significantly longer than that of Pluto.
- Its orbit is highly inclined at 44 degrees to the ecliptic, which is unusual for objects in the Kuiper Belt but typical for those in the Scattered Disk.
- Scientific Interest: Eris provides valuable insights into the outer Solar System's composition and the dynamics of trans-Neptunian objects. Its study helps in understanding the formation and evolution of our solar system.
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