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Which is the largest dwarf planet?

spacedwarf planetsPluto

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

1.Pluto is about 2,377 km across; Eris about 2,326 km.
2.Eris is about 27% more massive than Pluto.
3.The IAU recognises five dwarf planets.

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"Pluto vs Eris: the cosmic size contest that changed the definition of a planet."