The outer solar system is a fascinating place filled with many different kinds of space objects. Each one has its own special features and stories. Let’s take a fun journey to learn about some of these amazing celestial bodies, focusing on their sizes, what they’re made of, and what makes them unique.
Phoebe is a moon that orbits around Saturn. It was discovered way back in 1899 by a scientist named William Pickering. Phoebe is not a regular moon; it’s called an “irregular satellite” because of its unusual orbit. It is about 213 kilometers wide.
1999 Caraclaw is an asteroid with a cool twist—it has rings! It’s the largest confirmed small body in the outer solar system, with a diameter of 232 kilometers.
38628 Huya is known as a minor planet or a trans-Neptunian object. It lives in the Kuiper Belt, a region full of icy bodies beyond Neptune. Huya is 406 kilometers wide.
2018 VG18 is a trans-Neptunian object discovered in 2018. It’s about 500 kilometers wide and is part of the icy region beyond Neptune.
Vesta is a big deal in the asteroid belt. It’s one of the largest objects there, with a mean diameter of 525 kilometers. It’s the second-largest asteroid after Ceres.
2014 UZ224 is another interesting trans-Neptunian object. It might even be a dwarf planet, but scientists haven’t decided yet. It’s 635 kilometers wide and also hangs out in the Kuiper Belt.
Varuna is a large object in the Kuiper Belt and might become a dwarf planet. It’s 668 kilometers wide, but scientists are still thinking about its classification.
Ceres is the biggest object in the main asteroid belt and is already classified as a dwarf planet. It’s 946 kilometers wide, but you can’t see it without a telescope.
Haumea is a dwarf planet with a unique shape because it spins really fast. It’s located beyond Neptune and is about 632 kilometers wide.
Makemake is another dwarf planet candidate in the chilly Kuiper Belt. It was discovered in 2005 and is 1,430 kilometers wide.
Pluto used to be called the ninth planet, but now it’s the largest dwarf planet. It’s about 2,326 kilometers wide and is part of the distant Kuiper Belt.
The outer solar system is a huge and exciting place with many different kinds of space objects. From irregular moons and minor planets to dwarf planets, each one helps us learn more about the universe. As we keep exploring these celestial bodies, we discover more about their special features and the amazing nature of our solar system.
Size Comparison Activity: Gather some play dough or clay and create models of the different celestial bodies mentioned in the article. Use a ruler to measure and compare their sizes. For example, if you make Pluto 23 cm wide, how wide should you make Ceres? Discuss with your friends or family how these sizes compare to objects you see every day, like a basketball or a car tire.
Orbit Observation: Create a simple model of the solar system using string and paper. Hang the planets and other objects like Phoebe and 1999 Caraclaw at different distances from a central “Sun.” Observe how the irregular satellites like Phoebe have different orbits compared to regular moons. Discuss why some objects might have unusual orbits and what that tells us about their history.
Story Time with Celestial Bodies: Choose one of the celestial bodies from the article, like Haumea or Makemake, and write a short story or draw a comic about its journey through space. Imagine what it might see or encounter in the Kuiper Belt. Share your story with your classmates and discuss what makes each celestial body unique.
