a.pluto
b.earth
2007-02-04 19:01:59 · 19 answers · asked by sai 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Pluto IS the smallest planet as per the options given by you.
Pluto is not a planet as per latest definition.
The average diameter of the earth (reference spheroid) is approximately 12,742 km (more roughly, 40,000 km/π).
(The Encyclopedia Britannica (1990) says that Pluto's diameter is 3500 km (about the size of our Moon.)
Based on further observations this number has been reduced to only 2300 km.
Mercury, on the other hand, has a diameter of about 5000 km. Because Pluto is so far away, accurate observation is difficult even with our largest telescopes.Now, pluto is no more a planet.
If the proposed Pluto flyby mission does occur, much better measurements will be obtained.
2007-02-04 20:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Pluto is under debate whether to be considered as planet or not. Pluto is residing on the outer edges of the solar system and inner edge of Kuiper belt (Trans-Neptunian) objects. Even with so much advances of the radio astronomy not much known about Pluto. Accurate measuremens yet to be taken. Much hopes on Pluto Express which is expected to reach Pluto on 2014.
So at this point we need to consider Pluto as a planet. Its fate will be decided on 2014.
2007-02-05 11:19:37 · answer #2 · answered by Srinivas Kumar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're using an old textbook. Like the other person said - Mercury is the smallest.
The smaller of the two is Earth - because Pluto isn't a planet (so it can't be the "smallest planet" of the two).
2007-02-05 03:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by Bluefast 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Between those two, Pluto, although Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but a "dwarf planet".
Mercury is the smallest, and Mars and Venus are both smaller than Earth (Venus only just slightly).
2007-02-05 03:07:44 · answer #4 · answered by generalsmoketh 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Pluto is not a planet anymore!
So Mercury is the smallest
2007-02-05 03:09:44 · answer #5 · answered by Christy R 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, technically it would be Pluto, but it's currently considered a "dwarf" planet. Which is silly after all these years. What is a "dwarf" planet anyway?
So I guess the next in line would be Mercury.
2007-02-05 03:13:07 · answer #6 · answered by Hawkster 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Earth is the smallest planet becuse now pluto is not considered as planet.
2007-02-06 17:29:21 · answer #7 · answered by kifayath p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you count major planets, then Mercury is the smallest. If you're counting dwarf planets, then there are huge numbers of dwarf planets, most of them without any names, but bearing numbers like 2001X3.
I don't know what's the smallest dwarf planet, but it is certainly not Pluto. Pluto is one of the biggest dwarf planets, although not the biggest. Eris is the biggest known dwarf planet, as far as I know.
2007-02-05 03:55:55 · answer #8 · answered by Gnomon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mercury. Pluto isn't a planet anymore.
2007-02-05 03:06:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Mercury
2007-02-05 03:09:06 · answer #10 · answered by pnatt89 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋