Distance from the Sun:	5900 million km
Mass (Earth =1):	0.002
Density:	1.1g/cm3
Rotational Period:	6.38 days
Equatorial Diameter:	3000 km
# of Satellites:	1
# of Rings:	0

Pluto is the ninth and final planet of out Solar System. It is usually the most distant planet, but because of its odd stretched and tilted orbit, it is closer to the sun than Neptune 20 out of 250 years. For example, between 1979-1999 Pluto will be closer to the sun than Neptune. It was named after the Greek and Roman god of the underworld. It is the smallest and coldest planet, and appears to be a ball of methane and water mixed with rock. Pluto has one large moon of its own, named Charon. It is so large that they are often called the double planet.

Even very powerful telescopes show Pluto little better than as a yellow speck. The planet is even smaller than our moon and weighs a great deal less. In fact, several known moons in the solar system are considerably larger.

Pluto travels more slowly than any other planet; a year on Pluto lasts as long as 247 years on Earth. Also, astronomers believe that Pluto spins so slowly that one day and night equal six of ours.

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