pluto

PLUTO

Second largest known dwarf planet orbiting the Sun. 10th largest body observed orbiting directly around the sun. Largest member of the Kuiper Belt 1/5 of the mass, 1/3 of the volume of the Earth's moon.

Primarily made from rock and ice Highly elliptical orbit causes it to be closer to the sun than neptune at some points. 30 to 49 AU (4.4–7.4 billion km) from the Sun Binary sytem with its moon charon. Two moons discovered in 2005 Nyx and Hydra rotates on its "side" relative to its orbital plane, and the Pluto-Charon system does also

Discovered on Feb. 18, 1930 In 2006 it was declared dwarf planet 134340

light brown with a very slight tint of yellow

Spectroscopic analysis of Pluto's surface reveals it to be composed of more than 98 percent nitrogen ice, with traces of methane and carbon monoxide

It is possible for a subsurface ocean layer of liquid water some 100 to 180 km thick at the core–mantle boundary to exist

Nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide atmosphere

Pluto is not large enough in comparison to the other objects in its orbit to be considered a planet.