WHAT IS A DWARF PLANET?
Table of Contents
A dwarf planet is considered as planetary-mass-object that is not influenced by its region of space and is not a satellite. According to IAU (International Astronomical Unit), the dwarf planet is “A celestial body orbiting a star that is massive enough to be rounded by its gravity but has not cleared its neighborhood region.” It lies under the direct orbit of the Sun, gigantic enough to overcome its internal pressure force and attains hydrostatic equilibrium.
Dwarf planets are smaller worlds, so they cannot be reviewed as developed or established planets. On the contrary, they are too large that we cannot pin them under smaller categories. Ceres was designated as a dwarf planet in 2006 before that it was recognized as an asteroid. It also clenches a record of the only dwarf planet which was visited by the spacecraft.
According to NASA authorities, Pluto lost its original status of a full-fledged planet, now supposed to be a dwarf planet. It was all decided in 2015 after NEW HORIZON MISSION passed by the Pluto.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PLANET & DWARF PLANET :
The only difference that caters between a planet and dwarf planet depends upon the area adjoining each celestial body. A world occupies its orbit area, whereas dwarf planet doesn’t. According to new derivation, three objects in our Solar System categorized as dwarf planets, Ceres, Pluto & Eris.
Our Solar System has five officially conceded dwarf planets, which include Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake & Eris.
In this peculiar article, we will be sharing knowledge and enhancing our focus on one of the significant dwarf planet of the Solar System, Ceres.
IN-DEPTH VIEW :
The most massive object in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter and only dwarf planet located in the inner reaches of our Solar System. It was discovered by an Italian Astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801; Ceres was the first member of the Asteroid Belt to be seen.
Ceres was initially known to be an asteroid because of its diameter and size. It constitutes 25% of the total mass of Asteroid Belt, even after that Pluto is still 14 times larger than the Ceres.
Ceres was named after the Roman goddess of corn and harvest. The word cereal also comes from a similar name.
FORMATION :
It was suspected, Ceres was formed beside the rest of the Solar System, 4.5 billion years ago. Due to the circulation of gas and dust by the gravity, resulted in the formation of these dwarf planets. Scientists believe, because of Jupiter’s strong gravitational pull preventing Ceres to emerge as a full-fledged planet. It then settled to its current position with its oddments in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter.
SIZE AND DISTANCE :
It has a radius of around 296 miles(476 KM), and it is 1/13 the scope of the Earth. Ceres is a 2.8 Astronomical Unit (A.U) away from the Sun as it takes 4.61 Earth years to complete its one revolution. From this much interval, it takes approx 22 min for the sunlight to travel to Ceres.
STRUCTURE :
Unlikely Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, the surface of Ceres is much less dense, but it contains enough similarities to these terrestrial planets. It comprises of 12-29% organic matter and rocks along with the composition of Cl Chondrites. The researchers believe that Ceres possess more water than Earth. The surface of Cere’s planet is inclusive of salt, which can be made up of minerals like magnesium sulfate.
ATMOSPHERE :
Ceres has an insubstantial water vapor atmosphere. It can also be said that it has a thin atmosphere. Surfaces that are less than 5 A.U away from the Sun have unsteady layers. Water ice may get sublime while facing direct solar radiation, transform the solid into a gas.
POTENTIAL HABITABILITY :
Scientists would be somewhat to search for the habitable signs on Ceres. It has the most suitable component for any microbial life, which is water. It is one of the few remote places which has the potential for existence. As Ceres has enough presence of water components, it could dispense favorable conditions to living beings.
DOES CERES HAS MOONS?
It can be substantially accepted that along with enough satellites and telescope visuals; scientists are of the fact now that Ceres doesn’t contain any of its moons. Surprisingly, it may have comets as moons.
Enjoyed this article? Stay informed by joining our newsletter!