PLUTO

Discovery of Pluto

Facts about Pluto

Distance from the Sun:
Diameter:
Rotation period:
Revolution period:
Density (Water=1):
Mass:
Mass (Earth=1):
Volume (Earth=1):
Gravity (Earth=1):
Mean Temperature:
Geometric Albedo*:
Apparent Magnitude (Vo):
Axis Tilt:
Orbital Inclination:
Orbital Speed:
Equatorial Escape Veocitiy:
Moons:
Rings:
Atmosphere:
 3,660 million miles (39.53 AU)
1420 miles (2300 km)
6 days, 9 hrs, 18 min
247.9 years
2.05
1.29 x 10^22 kg
0.0022
0.01
0.05
37 K (-393 F)
0.3
15.12
68 degrees
17.2 degrees
4.7 kmps (2.9 miles/sec)
1.22 kmps (0.76 miles/sec)
1
0
Almost None

* fraction of sunlight reflected

More Info about Pluto

Pluto's Moon

Links to other Pluto pages

Pluto [lanl.gov]

Pluto [NASA]

Pluto [Nine Planets]

NSSDC Photo Gallery: Pluto

RPIF- Pluto

Pluto [colorado.edu]

Pictures

Mythology

The Roman god Pluto corresponds to the Greek god Hades, who was the king of the underworld in mythology (much like the planet named for him, which moves about in the outer realms). Hades is often depicted as a gloomy character (which makes sense), and he wasn't quite as dysfunctional as his 2 brothers, Zeus and Poseidon (the both of which tended to amorously pursue their sisters). Hades only pursued his niece. This niece, Persephone, was the daughter of Demeter, with whom Hades had to share "custody" six months out of the year. It is said that when Persephone spends time with Hades, Demeter (the goddess of the harvest) neglects her duties, resulting in winter.
In mythology, Hades's realm could only be reached by crossing the River Styx, and the only one with access to the river was the boatman Charon. An appropriate name, then, for Pluto's companion moon.

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