Facts about Pluto.

·     Name

The name Pluto was proposed by Venetia Burney (1918–2009), an eleven-year-old schoolgirl in Oxford, England. Venetia was interested in classical mytholygy as well as astronomy, and considered the name, that of the Roman god of the Underworld, appropriate for such a presumably dark and cold world. She suggested it in a conversation with her grandfather Falconer Madan, a former librarian at the University of Oxford's Bodleain Library Madan passed the name to Professor  Herbert Hall Turner, who then cabled it to colleagues in the United States.

·     What size is Pluto?

The size of Pluto, diameter wise, is 2,390 km or about 70% equal to the Moon.

·     Dwarf Planets

In 2006 Pluto was removed of its designation as the 9th planet of the Solar System. The size of Pluto was one of the major factors that led to its classification of being a dwarf planet. Today it is recognized as one of the biggest dwarf planets. Pluto’s origin is still a matter of debate.

·     Pluto’s Atmosphere

Current studies show the atmosphere is comprised of carbon monoxide, methane and nitrogen. It is thought these elements were derived from the ice on the planet itself. The climate varies depending on its distance from the Sun. When the planet is near the Sun, the temperature goes up and vice versa. Recent estimates put the temperature at -320 C.

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