This Day in History: Pluto Is Discovered (Saturday, February 18th)

Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories
Published on February 17, 2023 - Duration: 00:59s

This Day in History: Pluto Is Discovered (Saturday, February 18th)

This Day in History: , Pluto Is Discovered.

February 18, 1930.

Once believed to be the ninth planet, Pluto was discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ, by astronomer Clyde W.

Tombaugh.

Tombaugh discovered the tiny dwarf planet using a new astronomic technique of photographic plates combined with a blink microscope.

Pluto was given the Roman name for the god of the underworld in Greek mythology due to its surface temperature of -360ยฐ F.

Nearly four billion miles away from the sun, it takes Pluto approximately 248 years to complete one orbit.

.

Pluto's only known moon, Charon, has a diameter of a mere 737 miles.

In 2006, it was announced that Pluto would no longer be considered a planet because its orbit crosses into the orbit of planet Neptune.

While widely referred to as a dwarf planet, many argue that it should still be considered a planet.


You are here


๐Ÿ’ก newsR Knowledge: Other News Mentions


Clyde Tombaugh

American astronomer (1906โ€“1997), discoverer of Pluto

Neptune

Eighth planet from the Sun

Flagstaff, Arizona

City in Arizona

Lowell Observatory

Astronomical observatory and historic landmark in Arizona, US

Arizona

U.S. state
A picnic area at a tourist attraction in Arizona has been closed to visitors because of the presence of a pungent plant called stinknet - which smells as lovely..
Credit: Sky News - Published 1 day ago

Related videos from verified sources

This Day in History: Young Muhammad Ali Knocks out Sonny Liston (Saturday, Feb. 25) 00:57
Video credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Published on February 24, 2023 

This Day in History: Facebook Launches (Saturday, February 4th) 00:50
Video credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Published on February 3, 2023 

You might like