Pluto, once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, is now classified as a dwarf planet due to its small size. Discovered in 1930, this icy world has fascinated astronomers for decades.
Size comparison:
- Diameter: Approximately 2,377 kilometers (1,477 miles)
- About 1/6 the diameter of Earth
- Smaller than Earth's moon
Key facts:
- Pluto is only about 0.2% of Earth's mass
- Its surface area is roughly equivalent to Russia
- Five known moons orbit Pluto, the largest being Charon
Pluto's small size contributed to its reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006. Despite its diminutive stature, Pluto remains an object of scientific interest, with NASA's New Horizons mission providing detailed images and data about this distant world.