Experts from the University of Bonn (Germany) have confirmed that UB313 – a celestial body that could be the 10th planet in the solar system – is larger than Pluto. However, this discovery is unlikely to quell the debate over the criteria for classifying a planet.
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Simulation of UB313 (close-up) and the distant Sun. |
In 2005, when UB313 was discovered, astronomers from the California Institute of Technology only estimated its size based on its brightness.
However, a research group led by Frank Bertoldi has provided the first calculations of UB313’s diameter.
By measuring the heat radiated by this planet, German scientists estimated that UB313 has a diameter of 3,000 km.
With this measurement, UB313’s diameter is 700 km larger than that of Pluto, the 9th planet in the solar system.
Some astronomers have debated what constitutes a planet and whether Pluto should still be classified as one. The difficulty lies in the lack of an official definition. Some argue that it would be too broad to set size limits.
The International Astronomical Union will decide whether UB313 qualifies as a planet. If considered a planet, it would be the farthest and the 10th planet in the solar system.
Although the size of UB313 is now known, its composition is also a crucial factor in determining whether it can be classified as a planet. No new planets have been officially recognized since Pluto was discovered in 1930.
It is known that UB313 has a moon named Gabrielle.
UB313’s closest distance to the Sun is 5.6 billion km, while its farthest distance is 14.5 billion km.
The Earth orbits the Sun at a distance of approximately 150 million km. UB313 takes 560 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun, compared to Pluto’s 250 years.
