Confirmation that 10th planet is larger than Pluto
2 February 2006
by Carina
Lee
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A new planetary object called 2003 UB313 has been confirmed to be larger than the ninth planet in our Solar System, Pluto. To determine the size of 2003 UB 313, astrophysicists measured its thermal emission, which came to be approximately 3000km in diameter. Thermal emission is the emission of electrons from very hot substances and 2003 UB313 was found to be 700k larger than Pluto. As a result, this discovery marks the largest solar system object to be found since the 1846 discovery of Neptune. Discovered in January of last year, 2003 UB313 is a scattered disk trans-Neptunian object, which exists in icy conditions along the Kuiper belt. Its orbital period lasts 557 years due to its very elongated orbit. As scientists review the scientific definition of a planet, there is still debate over whether or not they will officially confirm 2003 UB313 as being a planet. From the University of Bonn, Professor Frank Bertoldi, explains "Since UB313 is decidedly larger than Pluto, it is now increasingly hard to justify calling Pluto a planet if UB313 is not also given this status." |
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Related Links
Original press release from Max Planck Society
Nature
& Science News
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