Geography 2090A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Oort Cloud, Near-Earth Object, Kuiper Belt
5 Jun 2016
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Document Summary
Along with planets and moons, the solar system contains a number of dwarf planets and other planetary bodies. Classification of a planet: has to orbit a sun, has hydrostatic equilibrium, clear neighbourhood dominant object in their orbit. If a planet only has two of the three classifications, then. Eris, pluto, haumea (not spherical) makemake, ceres: eris way off ecliptic plane. Discovery of eris is why pluto is no longer considered a planet. Elliptical orbit, leaves kuiper belt at points: ceres. May have an atmosphere, incredibly small, has been known for a long time. Known for its two bright spots located in the occator crater. No accepted agreement as to what they are. Global map highly cratered, has mountains, etc: pluto used to be a planet, but is no longer considered. Pluto is the roman god of the underworld, so its moons are named after legendary underworld figures and beings.
