Pluto is the 9th Planet in the Solar System. It is the smallest planetary body, and is smaller than 7 satellites belonging to other planets.

Some people believe Pluto to be a large asteroid, which might explain its strange elliptical orbit. Due to the nature of the orbit, from time to time Pluto becomes the 8 the Planet in the Solar System, as it comes closer to the Sun than even Neptune.

Pluto`s size and distance mean that no telescope invented by Man has been able to resolve any detail on the Planet`s surface. This could change within 10 years, as NASA are planning a mission specifically aimed at researching Pluto`s environment and surface.

Pluto is accompanied on its long journey around the Sun by Charon, its only Satellite. Charon is half the size of Pluto and is thought to be almost exactly the same in elemental composition.