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What Is Unique About Pluto's Orbit?

Pluto was long considered to be ninth planet in our solar system, but in 2006 the International Astronomical Union officially classified it as a dwarf planet. Pluto's orbit around the sun exhibits several unusual characteristics.

  1. Eccentricity

    • The planets of the solar system all have nearly circular orbits, but Pluto travels around the sun in an elliptical (egg-shaped) path. This is known as an eccentric orbit.

    Inclination

    • The orbits of the planets lie close to a level plane, called the ecliptic. Pluto orbits on a different plane, one that is inclined 17 degrees from the ecliptic.

    Sometimes Closer than Neptune

    • When making its closest approach to the sun (perihelion) during its 248-year orbit, Pluto is within the orbit of Neptune.

    Resonance with Neptune

    • Pluto's orbit is in a 3:2 resonance with Neptune's. The two planets' gravitational fields affect each other such that Pluto's orbit takes exactly 1.5 times that of Neptune.

    Kuiper Belt

    • Pluto's orbit passes through the Kuiper Belt, a region of small icy bodies found beyond the orbit of the planets.

Astronomy
Astronomy

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