The Most Popular Dwarf Planet, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Dwarf Planet you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:35
In the realm of space, beyond even the outer planets, lies a fascinating category of celestial bodies: the dwarf planets. These intriguing worlds, each with its unique characteristics and mysteries, stir curiosity and debate among those passionate about astronomy. Voting for the most popular dwarf planet helps prioritize which ones might deserve more attention and research, highlighting particular interests and prevailing trends within the community.
By participating in the ranking of these distant, enigmatic bodies, enthusiasts contribute to a broader dialogue within the space-exploring public. This collective effort not only sheds light on lesser-known dwarf planets but also enriches our understanding of our solar system's dynamics. The results can guide educational content, influence amateur telescope targets, and inspire future missions.
What Is the Most Popular Dwarf Planet?
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156votesPluto is the most well-known and popular dwarf planet due to its former classification as a planet and its role in popular culture.Pluto is a dwarf planet located in our solar system, specifically in the Kuiper belt. It was discovered on February 18, 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Initially classified as the ninth planet, it was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. Pluto is considered the most famous and controversial dwarf planet in our solar system.
- Mass: 1.30 x 10^22 kg
- Diameter: 2,377 km
- Orbit Period: 248 Earth years
- Mean Distance from Sun: 5.9 billion km
- Surface Temperature: -375 to -400 degrees Fahrenheit (-225 to -240 degrees Celsius)
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242votesCeres is the largest object in the asteroid belt and was the first dwarf planet to be discovered. It is also the only dwarf planet located in the inner solar system.Ceres is a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is the largest object in this region and is considered the closest dwarf planet to Earth. It has some unique features that make it an interesting celestial body.
- Mass: 9.39 x 10^20 kilograms
- Diameter: 940 kilometers
- Gravity: 0.28 m/s²
- Composition: Rocky core with an icy mantle
- Orbital Period: 4.6 Earth years (1,680 Earth days)
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312votesEris is the most massive known dwarf planet and was the catalyst for the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet. It is also known for its highly eccentric orbit.Eris is the most massive known dwarf planet in our solar system, located in the distant regions of the Kuiper Belt. It was discovered in 2005 by astronomers at the Palomar Observatory. Eris is pronounced as 'eer-iss' and is named after the Greek goddess of strife and discord.
- Discovered: 2005
- Type: Dwarf planet
- Mass: 1.66 x 10^22 kg
- Diameter: 2,326 km
- Orbit: Elliptical
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416votesHaumea is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt and is known for its unique elongated shape and rapid rotation.Haumea is a dwarf planet located in the outer regions of our solar system. It was discovered on December 28, 2004, by a team of astronomers led by José Luis Ortiz Moreno. With a unique elongated shape, Haumea is often referred to as an elongated ellipsoid or rugby ball-shaped object. It is one of the fastest-spinning objects in our solar system, completing one full rotation in just under four hours. Here are some of the important specifications of Haumea:
- Discovery Date: December 28, 2004
- Shape: Elongated ellipsoid
- Spin Period: 3.9 hours
- Orbital Period: 283.28 Earth years
- Average Distance from the Sun: 6.43 billion kilometers
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511votesMakemake is another dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt and is known for its reddish color and lack of atmosphere.Makemake is a dwarf planet located in the outer regions of the Solar System and is one of the largest known objects in the Kuiper Belt. It is named after the creation deity of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island.
- Orbit: Makemake follows a highly eccentric orbit around the Sun, taking approximately 305 years to complete one revolution.
- Size: With a diameter of about 1,430 kilometers, Makemake is considered the third-largest known dwarf planet.
- Composition: It is mainly composed of rock and ice, with a thin atmosphere that consists mostly of methane.
- Surface: Makemake has a bright and reflective surface that is covered in frozen methane, ethane, and nitrogen.
- Temperature: The average surface temperature on Makemake is estimated to be around -240 degrees Celsius (-400 degrees Fahrenheit).
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615votesOrcus is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt and is known for its large size and similarity to Pluto in terms of composition.Orcus is a dwarf planet located in the outer region of the solar system. It belongs to a group of objects known as plutinos, which are in resonance with Neptune. Orcus was discovered on February 17, 2004, by American astronomers Michael Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz.
- Orbital Period: 245.18 years
- Diameter: 910 ± 20 km
- Mass: (6.32 ± 0.05) × 10^20 kg
- Mean Density: 2.1 ± 0.04 g/cm³
- Albedo: 0.15 ± 0.02
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712votesQuaoar is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt and is known for its large size and discovery of a moon, Weywot.Quaoar is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune in our solar system. It was discovered in 2002 by astronomers Chad Trujillo and Michael Brown. Quaoar has a nearly spherical shape and measures approximately 1,100 kilometers in diameter. Its name comes from the creation deity of the Tongva people, the indigenous inhabitants of the Los Angeles area. Quaoar orbits the Sun once every 287.5 Earth years at an average distance of 6.4 billion kilometers. Its surface is covered by a thin layer of methane and other hydrocarbons, giving it a reddish hue. The dwarf planet has a relatively low density, indicating a composition primarily of ices. Quaoar has no known moons and exhibits a very slow rotation, taking approximately 17.7 hours to complete a full spin. Although it is not classified as a planet, Quaoar is one of the largest known objects in the Kuiper Belt.
- Discovery Date: June 4, 2002
- Diameter: Approximately 1,100 km
- Orbital Period: 287.5 Earth years
- Average Distance from the Sun: 6.4 billion km
- Surface Composition: Methane and hydrocarbons
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86votesSedna is a dwarf planet located in the outer reaches of the solar system and is known for its highly eccentric orbit and reddish color.Sedna is a dwarf planet located in the outer regions of the Solar System. It was discovered by astronomer Michael Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz on November 14, 2003. Sedna is known for its highly elliptical orbit which takes it to the outermost reaches of the Solar System. It is named after the Inuit goddess of the sea, which is believed to inhabit the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean.
- Average Distance from Sun: 86 astronomical units (AU)
- Discovery Date: November 14, 2003
- Orbital Period: 11,400 years
- Perihelion (closest distance to Sun): 76 astronomical units (AU)
- Aphelion (farthest distance from Sun): 937 astronomical units (AU)
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94votesVaruna is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt and is known for its large size and discovery of a moon, Varuna I.Varuna is one of the known Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) and a possible dwarf planet. It is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy objects beyond the orbit of Neptune. Varuna has a unique reddish color and is estimated to have a diameter of about 900 kilometers.
- Discovery date: November 28, 2000
- Orbital period: 284 years
- Average distance from the Sun: approximately 6 billion kilometers
- Eccentricity of orbit: 0.045
- Inclination of orbit: 17.2 degrees
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109votesGonggong is a recently discovered dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt and is known for its unusual orbit and potential for having a large moon.Gonggong, also known as 2007 OR10, is one of the most popular Dwarf Planets in our solar system. It was discovered in 2007 and named after the Chinese water god. Gonggong is an icy world located in the Kuiper Belt, beyond the orbit of Neptune. It has a distinct reddish color, likely due to the presence of methane and other organic compounds on its surface. Gonggong is believed to have a rocky core surrounded by a mantle of water and ammonia ices. It is about 1,535 kilometers in diameter, making it one of the larger known Dwarf Planets. Gonggong has a slow rotation period of about 44 hours. Its highly elliptical orbit takes approximately 548 years to complete, bringing it as close as 33 astronomical units (AU) to the Sun and as far as 101 AU. The surface temperature on Gonggong is estimated to be around -243 degrees Celsius. Further observations and studies are still ongoing to learn more about this intriguing celestial object.
- Alternative Name: 2007 OR10
- Location: Kuiper Belt
- Color: Reddish
- Composition: Rocky core with a mantle of water and ammonia ices
- Diameter: 1,535 kilometers
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Ranking factors for popular Dwarf Planet
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Physical propertiesSize, mass, and density of the dwarf planet can be important factors in determining its popularity. Larger, more massive planets with unique physical characteristics may attract more interest.
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Surface featuresThe geology, composition, and surface features of the dwarf planet can contribute to its popularity. For instance, icy surfaces or unique geological features like mountains, craters, and valleys may make a dwarf planet more fascinating.
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Atmosphere and climateThe presence (or absence) of an atmosphere and the climate conditions on the dwarf planet can affect its popularity. A dwarf planet with a dense atmosphere or extreme climate conditions might generate more public interest due to the challenges and possibilities they present.
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Satellites or moonsThe presence of natural satellites or moons orbiting a dwarf planet can influence its popularity, especially if they have unique features or potential for exploration.
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Scientific significanceDwarf planets that hold particular scientific importance, such as those providing insights into planetary formation, solar system evolution, or astrobiology, may be more popular among researchers and the general public.
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Exploration potentialThe feasibility of sending a spacecraft to explore a dwarf planet can impact its popularity. Planets that are easier to reach or have conditions suitable for future human exploration may generate more interest.
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Public interest and familiaritySome dwarf planets may be more well-known and popular due to their appearance in popular culture, educational materials, or news coverage.
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Historical and cultural contextThe history of a dwarf planet's discovery and the story behind its name can contribute to its popularity.
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Orbit and locationThe location of a dwarf planet within the solar system and its orbit around the Sun can impact its popularity, as it may influence the potential for future missions to study or explore the object.
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Ongoing research and discoveriesAs new information becomes available about a dwarf planet through research and space missions, its popularity may grow or change over time.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Dwarf Planet. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dwarf is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1804 views
- 181 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dwarf once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dwarf is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dwarf planet
Dwarf planets have been a topic of interest since their discovery in recent years. These small celestial bodies are similar to planets in many ways but differ in their size and location. The most well-known dwarf planet is Pluto, which was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system. However, Pluto's status was changed to that of a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union. Since then, four other dwarf planets have been identified in our solar system: Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. Of these, Ceres is the closest to being a planet, as it is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and is the largest object in that region. Each of these dwarf planets has unique characteristics and features, making them fascinating subjects for study and exploration. At StrawPoll, we're curious to know which of these dwarf planets is the most popular among our users.
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