Pluto, the smallest and most distant planet from the sun, has one of the longest orbital cycles of any planet in our solar system. The complete Pluto cycle is 248 Earth years. To put that into perspective, if you were born in the year 2020, you would have to wait until the year 2268 before you experienced your first complete Pluto cycle.
What is a Pluto Cycle?
A Pluto cycle is the length of time it takes for Pluto to travel once around the sun. This is also referred to as its orbital period. Pluto’s orbital period is 248 years, meaning it takes 248 years for the planet to complete one full orbit around the sun. During this time, Pluto passes through each of the 12 zodiac signs of the ecliptic.
How Long is a Single Revolution Around the Sun?
The length of time it takes for Pluto to complete one full revolution around the sun is 248 years. This is significantly longer than the orbital periods of the other planets in our solar system. For example, Mercury has an orbital period of 88 days, Venus has an orbital period of 224.7 days, and Earth has an orbital period of 365.26 days.
How Long is a Single Trip Around the Sun?
While it takes 248 years for Pluto to complete one full revolution around the sun, it takes a little longer for the planet to make a single trip around the sun. This is because Pluto’s orbit is elliptical, meaning that it does not travel in a perfect circle around the sun. As a result, Pluto’s single trip around the sun takes approximately 290 years to complete.
What Causes Pluto's Long Orbital Period?
Pluto’s long orbital period is caused by its highly elliptical orbit and its distance from the sun. Pluto’s orbit is much more elongated than the orbits of the other planets in our solar system, and it is much farther away from the sun. As a result, it takes much longer for the planet to make a full revolution around the sun.
What Else Can We Learn From a Pluto Cycle?
Studying Pluto’s cycle can help us learn more about the outer reaches of our solar system and the objects that exist beyond it. By understanding the length of time it takes for Pluto to complete its cycle, we can gain insight into the orbits of other objects in the Kuiper belt, such as comets and asteroids. Additionally, studying Pluto’s cycles can help us better understand the dynamics of our solar system as a whole, including how planets interact with each other and how their gravitational forces affect one another.