Which is the largest dwarf planet?
Quick Answer
Pluto is the largest known dwarf planet by diameter (about 2,377 km), though Eris is slightly more massive.
The Full Story
For years it was unclear whether Pluto or Eris was bigger. In 2015 NASA's New Horizons spacecraft measured Pluto's diameter at about 2,377 km, slightly larger than Eris at about 2,326 km. However, Eris is about 27% more massive than Pluto, meaning it is made of denser material. The discovery of Eris in 2005 helped prompt the International Astronomical Union to define the word 'planet' in 2006, which reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet. The IAU currently recognises five dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Pluto vs Eris: the cosmic size contest that changed the definition of a planet."