Science
Eris: The Distant Dwarf Planet
Discover Eris, the distant dwarf planet whose discovery challenged our definition of a planet and led to Pluto's reclassification.
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What is it?
Eris is one of the largest known dwarf planets in our solar system, located far beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt. Discovered in 2005, it is slightly more massive than Pluto, though similar in size. Eris has a highly elliptical orbit, taking 558 Earth years to circle the Sun, and possesses at least one moon, Dysnomia. Its surface is thought to be covered in frozen methane and nitrogen, making it one of the coldest and most distant objects regularly observed in our solar system.
Why is it trending?
The discovery of Eris was a landmark event that directly led the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to redefine the term "planet" in 2006. Because Eris was more massive than Pluto, astronomers had to decide whether to classify it as the tenth planet or create a new category. This debate resulted in the classification of both Pluto and Eris as "dwarf planets." Eris remains a topic of interest as new observations provide more data on its composition and characteristics.
How does it affect people?
Eris has no direct physical impact on Earth, but its discovery profoundly affected our cosmic perspective. It challenged long-held definitions and showed our solar system is more complex than previously thought. For the public, it sparked the passionate debate about Pluto's planetary status, fostering renewed interest in astronomy and the scientific process. Eris serves as a powerful reminder that scientific knowledge is always evolving with new discoveries in the vast expanse of space.