Download Pluto- The Dwarf Planet

Bell Work 1/22/15


1.
2.
Pick up a Pluto notes page.
Update your agenda and turn in your homework.
Name the planets that have rings.
What is the 5th phase of the moon?
A.
B.
3.
Full moon
3rd Quarter
C. New Moon
D. Waning Gibbous
Which planet’s period of revolution is 11 years, 313
days?
A. Mercury
C. Neptune
B. Jupiter
D. Mars
Who or What am I?

Scientists believe I am covered by frozen
nitrogen and have a thin atmosphere of
methane. I have one moon that is covered
with frozen water and is half my size. I
have an elliptical orbit that I travel in
around the Sun. Some of my buddies that
are similar to me are Ceres and Eris. Who
am I?
Pluto, a dwarf planet?
Essential Question

Question 1:

What are the major components of the
universe? (SPI0607.6.1)
Why is Pluto No Longer an Official
Planet?

One of the criteria for being an official planet
is that a planet must have cleared other things
out of the way in its orbital neighborhood.

Pluto does not meet this criteria.

Pluto orbits among the icy wrecks of the
Kuiper Belt (a region of the Solar System
beyond the planets) and Ceres.
Pluto- The Dwarf Planet
We only have blurry
pictures of its surface;
even the Hubble Space
Telescope orbiting the
Earth can only get grainy
photos because Pluto is
so far from us.

On August 24, 2006, the International
Astronomical Union (IAU) formally
downgraded Pluto from an official planet to a
dwarf planet.

Discovered by American astronomer Clyde
Tombaugh in 1930, Pluto takes 248 years to
orbit the Sun. Pluto's most recent close
approach to the Sun was in 1989.

No spacecraft has yet visited Pluto. However,
NASA launched a mission called New Horizons
that will explore both Pluto and the Kuiper
Belt region.
New Horizons was launched January 19, 2006
and will arrive this summer!

Why Not A Planet?
Stations
Each station has instructions to guide you through the activity.

Lab Tables 1 and 2 have a “heads up” game to help review the
major components of the universe (SPI0607.6.1).

Lab Tables 3 and 4 have an activity for Pluto. You will need your
glue and notes to complete this station. Table 5 has an example of
how to cut and an example of the finished product.

Lab Tables 6 and 7 have a matching game that will also help review
the major components of the universe (SPI0607.6.1).
*Be sure to read all instructions at your station before
beginning. You will have 10 minutes per station. The timer will be
viewable on the board.
Groups 1st Period
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Table 1:Alexis B., Macy, Andrew, Josh
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Table 2: Lexi H., Sabrina, DJ, Jordan D.
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Table 3:A’Maya, Angela, Hunter, Daniel
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Table 4: Baylee J, Callie, Nathan, Jordan P.
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Table 6:Jameson, Sam, Jaylen, Xavier
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Table 7: Abenezer, Bailey T, Savannah
Groups 5th Period
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Table 1: Tori, Alexa,, Zach, Brandon

Table 2: Eesha, Tsega, Carter, Jack
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Table3: Alton, Austin, Kadence, Morgan
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Table 4:Taylor, Emily, Tavien, Nick
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Table 6: Ashley, Olivia, Troy, Jacob

Table 7:Landon, Shania, Mercedes
Groups 6th Period

Table 1: Amya, Katelyn J., Justin, Nick

Table 2: Jamie, Zack, Evan, Jackson

Table 3: Tabitha, Tia, Alend, RJ

Table 4:Cynthia, Kristian, Samantha,

Table 6: Jaleiah, Angel, Asia, Shelbie
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Table 7: Madison, Kaitlyn R., Leonardo, Kellar
Groups 7th Period
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Table 1: Yacenia,. Avery P., Malik, Jacob

Table 2: Avery B., Avonlea, Alex B., Trey
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Table 3: Kelsey, Kayleigh, Matt
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Table 4: Sydnie, Jenna, Brady, Alex R.
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Table 6: Cassidy, Sydney B., Dashawn
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Table 7: Emily, Kaitie, Olivia, Ahmad, Zane
Exit Ticket

Place your name on a post-it, answer the
following question, and post it to the
parking lot on your way out the door today.
Question:
In 2006, Pluto was demoted from being our
9th planet to a dwarf planet. Based on what
you know about the criteria astronomers use
to classify planets, explain why Pluto is no
longer a planet.