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Chapter 12: Problem 46

Dwarf planets: a. Go to planetary astronomer Mike Brown's website of dwarf planets (http://gps.caltech.edu/-mbrown/dps.html). How many dwarf planets does he think are in the Solar System? Why is it difficult officially to certify an object as a dwarf planet? b. Go to the website for the New Horizons mission (http://pluto .jhuapl.edu), which reached Pluto in 2015 and is scheduled to visit Kuiper Belt objects afterward. Click on "Where Is New Horizons?" What is the spacecraft's current location? How far is it from Earth, and how far from Pluto? How long would it take to send a radio signal to the spacecraft? Click on "News Center." What has been learned from this mission?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Mike Brown believes there are about five dwarf planets. Certification is difficult due to size and orbital criteria. New Horizons is far from Earth and Pluto.

Step by step solution

01

- Visit Mike Brown's Website

Go to Mike Brown's dwarf planets website at http://gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/dps.html.
02

- Number of Dwarf Planets

Determine how many dwarf planets Mike Brown believes exist in the Solar System. Write down the number.
03

- Certification Difficulty

Read the information provided by Mike Brown on why it is challenging to officially certify an object as a dwarf planet. Note down the reasons.
04

- Visit New Horizons Mission Website

Go to the New Horizons mission website at http://pluto.jhuapl.edu.
05

- Locate 'Where is New Horizons?'

Click on the 'Where is New Horizons?' link to find the spacecraft's current location. Note the distance from Earth and Pluto.
06

- Calculate Signal Travel Time

Determine how long it takes to send a radio signal to the spacecraft and note it down.
07

- Learn from 'News Center'

Click on the 'News Center' link and summarize what has been learned from the mission.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Solar System
Our Solar System is a complex and fascinating environment composed of the Sun, eight major planets, and a variety of smaller bodies such as moons, comets, asteroids, and dwarf planets. Dwarf planets are objects in the Solar System that are similar to regular planets but do not clear their orbit of other debris. Mike Brown's website offers detailed information on these minor celestial bodies. Understanding the compositions, orbits, and histories of these objects enhances our overall knowledge about the formation and evolution of our Solar System.
New Horizons mission
The New Horizons mission is a NASA endeavor that was launched in January 2006. It was specifically designed to explore Pluto, its moons, and other objects in the Kuiper Belt. The spacecraft provided humanity with the first close-up images of Pluto in 2015. Currently, it continues to send back valuable data about the distant regions of our Solar System. You can track the current position of New Horizons on its [official mission website](http://pluto.jhuapl.edu). For students, it's an excellent opportunity to see real-time space exploration data and understand the vast distances involved in the field of astronomy.
planetary certification
Certifying an object as a 'dwarf planet' is a challenging process. This involves several criteria like:
  • The object must orbit the Sun.
  • The object must be near-spherical in shape.
  • The object has not cleared its neighboring region of other objects.
Official recognition is tough due to varying scientific perspectives and the meticulous nature of space observations. Criteria continue to evolve as our technology and understanding of celestial bodies improve. This added complexity helps scientists ensure consistency in their classifications and understandings of the cosmos.
Kuiper Belt
The Kuiper Belt is a vast region of the Solar System beyond Neptune's orbit, populated with a wide array of icy bodies and dwarf planets. It is similar to the asteroid belt but far larger and colder. Notable member of the Kuiper Belt includes Pluto, which was reclassified from a planet to a dwarf planet. This region is a treasure trove for astronomers seeking to understand the early developmental stages of our Solar System. The New Horizons mission has heightened interest in this distant area by exploring its inhabitants and seeking to provide more insight into these small, cold worlds.
Pluto exploration
Exploring Pluto has radically changed our understanding of this distant dwarf planet. Before New Horizons, Pluto was merely a blurry dot in our telescopes. After receiving detailed images and other scientific data from the flyby, astronomers discovered complex geomorphology, ice plains, and evidence of geological activity. These revelations have helped trigger debates about its classification and inspired a new wave of interest in studying dwarf planets. The vast and detailed images and data collected continue to fuel research in planetary sciences.
radio signal travel time
Sending and receiving signals to and from spacecraft like New Horizons takes substantial time due to the vast distances involved. The time it takes for a radio signal to travel can be calculated easily:
  • Light travels at a speed of about 299,792 kilometers per second.
  • To Pluto, a signal takes roughly 4.5 hours to travel one way.
Calculations depend on the specific location of the spacecraft at any given time, which is why real-time tools on the mission's website are so helpful. This delay is a crucial factor for mission planning and communication, emphasizing the awe-inspiring scale of our Solar System.

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