2006-09-11 16:31:54 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The planet Neptune is a lot to blame for Pluto's swing. Pluto and Neptune are in a 3:2 orbital resonance which prevents any future collision or even a close approach. The libration of Pluto's orbit is due to an exchange of angular momentum with Neptune. When Pluto is "catching up" to Neptune, it gains angular momentum at Neptunes expense and moves in a higher orbit. Then it falls behind, since higher orbits have slower tangential velocities. Thousands of years later, as Neptune seems poised to overtake Pluto, the opposite exchange takes place. Pluto loses angular momentum, falling to a lower but faster heliocentric orbit.
2006-09-11 19:57:23 · answer #1 · answered by swilliamrex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody knows. There is probably some physical process (collisions, perhaps) that has caused the orbital planes of the other planets to largely align, and it is possible that this process works less well when farther removed from the sun's gravity (for example, the orbital periods become so long that any interactions are infrequent).
2006-09-11 16:39:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you mean the orbit trajectory? Well, since its mass is very less and it is far away from the sun, gravity of other objects orbiting near pluto often influence, which will push or pull it towards/away the sun resulting in elliptical orbit.
2006-09-13 03:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is now label as a dwarf planet. becuas eif they did decide to make pluto a planet then ther are 100s of other bodies that could be consider a planet so they had to make a diff. for the word planet. wat i think they should do is make system of planets and classift them but at school u wouldn't have to know all of them just the main ones. like inner outer/ main planets is wat i call them
2006-09-12 04:48:59 · answer #4 · answered by zerophilmister 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason it is not on the ecliptic is because it is a comet... it was formed at a different time than the planets which all formed nearly on the same plane from the accretion disk.
2006-09-11 16:38:19 · answer #5 · answered by iMi 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is very small and perhaps has an eccentric orbit
2006-09-12 02:04:57 · answer #6 · answered by A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm...i dunno. Didnt you hear that they have recently decided that Pluto is no longer considered a planet? Its called a "Pluton" now. Maybe thats why. hmm..
2006-09-11 16:37:53 · answer #7 · answered by Starry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋