Illustration showing Pluto (foreground) and its companion,Charon. Pluto was the ninth planet to be discovered,first seen in 1930. Pluto has a near companion,Charon,which orbits Pluto in 6.4 days,exactly the same as Pluto's rotational period. Pluto is 2,400km in diameter,and is thought to consist of a rocky core covered with methane ice. Charon is believed to have a similar structure,although somewhat smaller with a diameter of 800km. Pluto's unusual orbit occasionally brings it within that of Neptune,as is the case between 1979 and 1999,in the course of its 248 year solar orbit | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Hardy, David A. |
Taille de l’image : | 4191 px × 2480 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |