Eris has more mass than Pluto

2007/06/22 Zelestino, Maite

• Astronomia

They already knew that Eris (formerly Xena) was greater than Pluto. Now, the California Institute of Technology has shown that it weighs 27% more than Pluto. For this purpose they have measured the radius of the orbit of their satellite Disnomia and the time it takes to make a return to Eris. Subsequently, using the planetary motion law proposed by Kepler and the gravitational force models between two objects, they have calculated the mass of the dwarf planet.

This discovery accentuates the discontent of Pluto's supporters. In fact, it was a hard blow forcing him to move from being a planet to being a dwarf planet and now they have taken away the title of being the largest mass among the three dwarf planets (Pluto, Eris and Zeres rock body in orbit between Mars and Jupiter).

The dwarf planet Eris has been imposed on his shooting tour with Pluto, hence the name of Eris in honor of the Greek goddess of contention and war. But from now on Eris will have to fight well to maintain superiority: the outside of the solar system is not well studied and it is possible to find larger and more massive bodies.

Image: Image: NASA/ CALTECH/ Robert Hurt (IPAC)