• Question: Are there other dwarf planets other than Pluto that we know of?

    Asked by RedPanda77 to Arthur, Clare, Daniel, David, Tora on 18 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: David Wilson

      David Wilson answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      There are five objects currently called dwarf planets: Ceres (which is in the asteroid belt), Pluto, Eris, Hauema and Makemake. There are a few objects like Sedna which may be called dwarf planets when we know what shape they are.
      Excitingly, we’re going to see two dwarf planets up close next year. The Dawn spacecraft will orbit Ceres, and the New Horizons spacecraft will fly by Pluto. This is the first time we’ll get close up pictures and find out what they’re really like.

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