Introduction
Many people believe that Pluto is the farthest planet from Earth; however, this is not entirely true. There are other planets that are even farther away from our blue planet. In this article, we will explore the six planets farthest from Earth, compare the distance between Pluto and Neptune, discover which planet is actually the farthest, and discuss why the correct answer is significant to astronomy. Moreover, we will examine the uniqueness and importance of the farthest planet from Earth, imagine what it would be like to visit it, and finally learn about the measurement unit used for calculating planetary distance.
6 Planets That Are Farther from Earth Than You Think
The six planets that are farther than Earth from closest to farthest, are as follows: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. While we may have some understanding of why certain planets are farther than others, the exact distance may be less obvious.
Interestingly, while Pluto is the farthest of the traditional nine planets from the sun, it is not the farthest planet from Earth. In reality, Neptune is the farthest planet from us. Moreover, Pluto’s elliptical orbit means it can be closer to us than Neptune at times.
Among the six farthest planets, Mars is the closest and the easiest to observe with the naked eye. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is next, followed by Saturn, which is famous for its iconic rings. Uranus follows Saturn in order, known for its unique axial tilt and the fact that it rotates horizontally. Neptune lies beyond Uranus and has the fastest wind speeds recorded in the solar system. Lastly, Pluto, despite no longer being classified as a planet, is still the smallest and the farthest dwarf planet.
Pluto vs. Neptune: Which Planet is the Farthest from Earth?
While Pluto was considered the ninth planet in our solar system for a long time, for the past several years, there has been much debate about whether or not Pluto should have this classification. This led to its reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006. Despite this, many still argue that Pluto should still be considered a planet.
Ultimately, when it comes to distance from Earth, Neptune takes the crown. It is about 2.8 billion miles away from our planet, while Pluto is only about 4.67 billion miles away at its farthest point. However, due to Pluto’s elliptical orbit, it is not always the farthest dwarf planet from us.
Why the Farthest Planet from Earth May Surprise You
One common misconception is thinking that the farthest planet from Earth is far away simply because it is exterior to our solar system. The reality is that the farthest planet is located inside our solar system and is not very impressive at first glance.
Known as the dwarf planet 2018 VG18, it is the farthest known non-trans-Neptunian object from the sun and is located in the inner Oort cloud just beyond the Kuiper belt. 2018 VG18 is approximately 124 astronomical units from the sun, which is equivalent to 18.5 billion kilometers or 11.5 billion miles away and would take 43,000 years to travel at the speed of a commercial airplane.
The Lonely Planet: Discovering the Farthest Planet from Earth
2018 VG18 is a small planet, only about 310 miles in diameter, and is located so far away from the Earth that it is nearly impossible to study. It is technically located within our solar system but it is too far away and too small to visit.
What makes 2018 VG18 a significant planet is that it can provide an insight into the early stages of our solar system’s formation and can allow us to understand the Oort cloud formation and the whereabouts of comets. VG18’s orbit is expected to exhibit a few unique properties, which can inform our understanding of the distant regions of our solar system. Furthermore, it is fascinating to consider that this small planet is still within our solar neighbourhood, and imagining all the mysteries that we might uncover through further research.
Visiting the Farthest Planet from Earth: A Journey to the Outer Reaches of Our Solar System
Although visiting the farthest planet from Earth is not possible for us, picturing it is an exciting thought experiment. The trip would require travelling more than 11 billion miles. Several spacecraft have been sent to the Oort Cloud region, although none have yet reached this further planet.
As the spacecraft nears VG18 and approaches its surface, they would likely encounter many icy structures and comets that have accumulated during its long journey from the Kuiper Belt region. It is important to note that the spacecraft must be equipped with the technology to sustain such an extended tour through the cold regions of our solar system.
Going the Distance: Understanding the Concept of Astronomical Units in Measuring Planetary Distance
Astronomers use a measurement unit called the astronomical unit (AU) to determine the distances between objects in our solar system. An AU is a distance measurement that is equal to the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, approximately 93 million miles. It is a convenient way to describe planetary distances because the distances between planets can be typically enormous.
If we apply the AU measurement model, we find that it takes approximately 29.86 astronomical units for Neptune to circle around the sun and 39.48 astronomical units for Pluto’s orbit. Thus, Neptune is clearly the farthest planet from Earth.
Conclusion
What planet is the farthest from Earth? While Pluto was once the most common answer for this question, it is actually Neptune that bears the title of the farthest planet from Earth. Understanding the actual answer to this question can provide benefits such as recognizing the differing distances among the planets and the role of technology in mapping the solar system. Moreover, the farthest planet is located within our solar system, and even if a visit to it is impossible, it can still teach us much about our planet’s formation.
This article has presented various details about planets farthest from Earth, uncovered the controversy surrounding Pluto as a planet, and explored the significance of studying the farthest planet from Earth. As we explore the universe, it is essential to grasp the vastness of what is to be discovered. There is so much to learn beyond what we have known and discovered, and it is important to encourage more research, innovations, and explorations to further enhance our knowledge and understanding of the universe.