Eris vs. Pluto

Attribute	Eris	Pluto
Discovery	2005	1930
Classification	Dwarf planet	Dwarf planet
Orbital Period	558 years	248 years
Distance from Sun	96.4 AU	39.5 AU
Moons	1 known moon (Dysnomia)	5 known moons (Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos, Hydra)

Introduction

Eris and Pluto are two dwarf planets located in the outer regions of our solar system. Both were once considered full-fledged planets before being reclassified due to their size and characteristics. Despite their similarities, Eris and Pluto have distinct attributes that set them apart from each other.

Size and Composition

Eris is the largest known dwarf planet in our solar system, with a diameter of about 1,445 miles. It is composed primarily of rock and ice, similar to Pluto. However, Pluto is slightly smaller than Eris, with a diameter of approximately 1,473 miles. Both dwarf planets have a similar composition, but their sizes differ slightly.

Orbit and Distance from the Sun

Eris has a highly elliptical orbit that takes it as far as 97 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun at its farthest point. In comparison, Pluto has a more circular orbit that ranges from 29 to 49 AU from the Sun. This means that Eris is much farther from the Sun than Pluto, spending most of its time in the outer reaches of the solar system.

Moons

Both Eris and Pluto have moons orbiting around them. Eris has one known moon called Dysnomia, named after the daughter of Eris in Greek mythology. Dysnomia is relatively small compared to Eris, with a diameter of about 350 miles. Pluto, on the other hand, has five known moons, the largest of which is Charon. Charon is so large compared to Pluto that the two bodies are sometimes considered a binary system.

Surface Features

The surfaces of Eris and Pluto are both covered in a layer of frozen methane and nitrogen, giving them a similar appearance. However, Eris is known to have a highly reflective surface, which suggests that it may have a different composition than Pluto. Pluto, on the other hand, has a more varied surface with features such as mountains, plains, and valleys.

Discovery and Naming

Eris was discovered in 2005 by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown. It was initially nicknamed Xena before being officially named Eris, after the Greek goddess of discord and strife. Pluto, on the other hand, was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh and was named after the Roman god of the underworld. Both dwarf planets have names that reflect their distant and mysterious nature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Eris and Pluto are two fascinating dwarf planets with unique characteristics that make them stand out in our solar system. While they share some similarities in terms of composition and size, they also have distinct differences in their orbits, moons, and surface features. Studying Eris and Pluto can provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.