and what are their names?
2007-05-19 15:04:09 · 16 answers · asked by youran_lee 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Since the only rough definition of a Moon is an object orbiting a Planet, Pluto has no Moons, since it is no longer a Planet.
Now, how big does an object have to be in order to be considered a Moon? Well, there is no answer. About 5 years ago astronomers announced they'd found the smallest known satellite, a moon just 0.62 miles (1 kilometer) in diameter orbiting Jupiter.
Historically, Charon, and sometimes Nix, and Hydra were considered to be the Moons of Pluto.
Go figure.
Have fun!
2007-05-19 15:35:16 · answer #1 · answered by Stratman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to view the ninth planet in our solar system, astronomers discovered Pluto may have not one, but three moons.
Besides Charon, discovered in 1978, the two new candidate moons were observed approximately 27,000 miles away from Pluto and provisionally designated at the time as S/2005 P1 and S/2005 P2. The objects are roughly two to three times as far from Pluto as Charon.
2007-05-19 22:23:33 · answer #2 · answered by misen55 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
three, Nix, Hydra, and Charon. Charon is in question but it still remains a moon of Pluto. Also Pluto has recently been degraded from a Planet to dwarf planet and is the 10th largest satellite to orbit the sun. It is smaller than the earths moon.
2007-05-19 22:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by andrelix 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3 were found so far; although technically the largest, Charon, is so big in relation to Pluto itself, that it can be considered the second component of a binary dwarf planet (the center of gravity of the Pluto - Charon system is not inside Pluto).
The other satellites, discovered in 2005, are named Nix and Hydra.
2007-05-19 22:10:24 · answer #4 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
3, Charon , Nyx and Hydra. But I guess you can't call them moons anymore. Pluto's not a planet now.
2007-05-19 22:48:41 · answer #5 · answered by hcps_boxer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well pluto isn't a planet but it has one moon.
2007-05-19 22:06:46 · answer #6 · answered by greeksofia 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
3.
2007-05-19 22:06:44 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three, Charon, Nix, and Hydra.
2007-05-19 22:07:35 · answer #8 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
1
Its Charon.
Don't believe those wacko scientists who say there are 3. If those three counted, then the other few hundred thousand would too!
2007-05-19 22:08:04 · answer #9 · answered by Eric X 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
3
read all about it
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Does-Pluto-Have-Three-Moons-11480.shtml
2007-05-19 22:13:35 · answer #10 · answered by Jebediah_Springfield 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋