Claims & Evidence
What is a claim made by Dr. Alan Stern about Pluto?
Dr. Alan Stern claims that "the solar system saved the best for last."
What textual evidence supports the idea that Pluto is very cold?
The text states that Pluto is measured at -397 degrees F.
What temperature does the New Horizons spacecraft measure on Pluto?
-397 degrees F.
What is the size of Eris compared to Pluto?
Eris is 1,445 miles across; Pluto is larger at 1,477 miles.
What is the largest moon of Pluto?
Charon.
Identify one claim made about Eris and provide evidence from the text.
The claim is that Eris is larger than Pluto; the evidence is that it blocked light when it passed in front of a star.
Cite a piece of evidence that describes what makes the heart-shaped region on Pluto special.
The heart-shaped region is described as being "a thousand miles across."
Describe the composition of Pluto's "heart" region.
It may be white because of frozen nitrogen and carbon monoxide.
What was the statement made by the discoverer of Eris regarding its size?
The discoverer claimed, "If it’s not larger than Pluto, then I’ll eat my telescope."
Describe one feature of Charon.
Charon has a polar cap and canyons.
A supported claim has evidence, while an unsupported claim lacks proof.
Provide a quote that explains how Charon's features compare to Earth's features.
The text compares Charon's canyons to the Grand Canyon.
How do the mountains on Pluto compare to the Rocky Mountains?
Pluto's mountains are as tall as the Rocky Mountains, about two miles high.
How do the distances of Pluto and Eris from the Sun compare?
Both are far from the Sun, but Eris is farther than Pluto.
Why are Pluto's other moons not round?
The New Horizons measured Pluto at 1,477 miles across, supporting its status as the largest object beyond Neptune.
What evidence can you find that mentions the size of Charon relative to Pluto?
Charon spans 753 miles, about half of Pluto’s diameter.
What is the significance of Tombaugh Regio?
Tombaugh Regio is significant because it is a large white area on Pluto.
What does the text say about the composition of Eris?
The text mentions it is a similar world to Pluto.
What are the names of the characters from Star Trek that Charon's craters are named after?
How does the New Horizons mission provide evidence for Pluto's cold temperatures?
The spacecraft measured Pluto at -397 degrees F, which is extremely cold.
Cite textual evidence that illustrates the differences in shape between Pluto's moons.
The moons are described as being "egg-shaped," "jelly bean-shaped," etc.
Explain why Pluto's water ice is as hard as rock.
Pluto's water ice is extremely cold and thus hard as rock.
Discuss the implications of the phrase "If it’s not larger than Pluto, then I’ll eat my telescope."
This phrase indicates skepticism about Eris's size.
What was the outcome of the New Horizons spacecraft regarding the search for additional moons?
The mission did not find more moons.