EASC 108 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Semi-Major And Semi-Minor Axes, Orbital Period, Moons Of Haumea
5 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Currently, 5 recognised dwarf planets in the solar system: pluto, eris, makemake, haumea and ceres. Represents 1/3rd the mass of the asteroid belt. March 6, 2015, dawn spacecraft began to orbit ceres: first spacecraft to orbit a dwarf planet. Specifics: diam: 2302 km, semi-major axis: 2. 8 au, orbital period: 4. 6 years, temp: -106 c. Differentiated interior: probably a rocky core, 100 km thick icy mantle, possibly liquid layer below surface. Largest known dwarf planet: almost same size as pluto = accepted as dwarf planet, ~27% more massive. Specifics: diam: 2326 km, density: 2. 52 g/3, semi-major axis: 68 au, orbital period: 557 years, temp. Surface may be covered with frozen methane. 3rd largest after eris & pluto: 2nd brightest after pluto. Specifics: diam: ~1500 x 1430 km, semi-major axis: 46 au, orbital period: 310 years, temp:
