Comparing Pluto, Ceres, and Eris: a dwarf planet showdown.

📚 Introduction: Dwarf Planet Showdown

Welcome to a comparative study of three fascinating dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, and Eris. This lesson will explore their key characteristics, differences, and similarities. Get ready to discover the unique features of these celestial bodies!

🎯 Objectives

🎯 Learn the definition of a dwarf planet according to the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
• 🌍 Identify the location of Pluto, Ceres, and Eris within our solar system.
• 🔭 Compare the size, mass, and composition of these three dwarf planets.
• 🌡️ Contrast the surface conditions and atmospheric properties (if any) of each dwarf planet.

🧪 Materials

• 🌐 Internet access for research and simulations
• 📝 Notebook and pen for note-taking
• 🖼️ Images and videos of Pluto, Ceres, and Eris
• 📊 Comparative data tables (provided below)

🚀 Warm-up (5 mins)

• ❓ What comes to mind when you hear the word 'planet'?
• 💭 What do you already know about Pluto?
• 💡 Have you heard of Ceres or Eris before? What do you know about them?

📝 Main Instruction

Defining Dwarf Planets: According to the IAU, a dwarf planet is a celestial body that:

• 🌠 Is in orbit around the Sun.
• ⚖️ Has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape.
• 🏘️ Has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.
• 🌑 Is not a satellite.

🌍 Pluto

• 📍 Location: Kuiper Belt
• 📏 Diameter: Approximately 2,377 km
• Composition: Primarily rock and ice
• 🌡️ Surface: Covered in nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide ices
• 💨 Atmosphere: Thin, temporary atmosphere that exists when Pluto is closest to the Sun
• 🌙 Moons: Has five known moons, including Charon, its largest moon

☄️ Ceres

• 📍 Location: Asteroid Belt
• 📏 Diameter: Approximately 940 km
• Composition: Rocky core surrounded by an icy mantle
• 💧 Surface: Evidence of water ice and hydrated minerals
• 💨 Atmosphere: No significant atmosphere
• 🌑 Moons: None

🌌 Eris

• 📍 Location: Scattered Disc
• 📏 Diameter: Approximately 2,326 km
• Composition: Likely similar to Pluto, composed of rock and ice
• 🌡️ Surface: Covered in methane ice
• 💨 Atmosphere: Possible temporary atmosphere when Eris is closest to the Sun
• 🌙 Moons: Has one known moon, Dysnomia

📊 Comparative Data Table

✅ Assessment

❓ Which dwarf planet is located in the Asteroid Belt?
• 📝 Briefly describe the key differences between Pluto and Eris.
• 💡 Explain why Pluto is no longer classified as a planet.
• 🌍 Compare the composition of Ceres to that of Pluto.
• 📏 Which of the three dwarf planets is the largest?